Mustangs Trump Texas A&M In NCAA First Round Action

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From SMUMustangs.com

Mustangs Trump Texas A&M In NCAA First Round Action
Tokarieva/Briceno Tie All-Time Record for Team Doubles Victories in a Season


May 9, 2009

WACO, Texas (SMU)-SMU women's tennis (28-2) claimed a first round win (4-1) over No. 39 Texas A&M (14-11) at the NCAA Championships on Saturday, May 9 at the Baylor Tennis Center, to advance to the second round for the first time since 2004 when they lost to the Aggies.

No. 23 SMU began the morning by securing the doubles point with wins at the number one and three spots. Freshmen tandem No. 32 Marta Lesniak and Aleksandra Malyarchikova sustained their undefeated season, improving to 14-0 after defeating (8-5) Aggie duo Cuthbertson/Liles.

On court three, senior Kseniia Tokarieva and junior Nicole Briceno ousted Olivier/Turpin to record their 22nd win on the season, an accomplishment that also ranks as a tie for the most team doubles victories in a season at SMU.

In singles action, No. 116 Malyarchikova jumped out to an early lead, blanking Christi Liles in the first set before securing the match victory in the second to give SMU a 2-0 match lead. Tokarieva also turned in a straight set win at the number six spot, defeating Ashley Turpin 6-4, 6-2.

The match of the day belonged to Briceno, who sealed a Mustang victory with a win over Sheri Olivier. Briceno handily defeated the Aggie in the first set, then mounted a comeback after falling behind early in the second set to record a tiebreak win (6-3, 7-6).

The Mustangs will face the winner between No. 4 Baylor and UT-Arlington in second round competition of the NCAA Championships on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Baylor Tennis Center.