University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

UCO Knocks Off TexAnns

3/7/2012 3:55:00 PM

Rose Cabato

LAWTON, Okla. (March 6) – A big come-from-behind win at No. 1 doubles gave Central Oklahoma a crucial point and that turned out to be the difference as the No. 42-ranked Bronchos knocked off 20th-rated Tarleton State here Tuesday in a neutral-site match played in extreme wind conditions.

Julia Shviadok and Eli Abramovic overcame a 6-1 deficit to pull out a thrilling 9-8 win at No. 1 doubles to help give UCO a 2-1 lead as Anna Kochigina and Sowmya Pulumati claimed an 8-4 victory at No. 3.

The Bronchos kept that lead by splitting the six singles matches, getting straight-set wins from Abramovic, Kochigina and Rose Cabto.

"Up to this point the weather hasn't been really kind to our team as we have had to overcome different conditions and today was a real challenge with winds gusting up to 40 and 50 miles per hour,” UCO coach Natalya Nikitina-Helvey said. “I am so happy we were able to prevail and beat a very good Tarleton State team.

“Our number one doubles team really stepped up today by coming from behind the way they did to win their match. It takes a lot of mental strength and determination to play in such conditions and I am proud of my girls for pulling through and getting a big win for us."

UCO returns to action this weekend with two matches in Russellville, Ark.

UCO 5, Tarleton State 4
DOUBLES
No. 1 – Julia Shviadok/Eli Abramovic (UCO) def. Melanie Barnes/Karla Martinez, 9-8.
No. 2 – Alicia Perez/Makenzie Mitchell (TSU) def. Rose Cabato/Anto Rossini, 9-8.
No. 3 – Anna Kochigina/Sowmya Pulumati (UCO) def. Silvia Nieva/Kayla Deatherage, 8-4.
SINGLES
No. 1 - Perez (TSU) def. Shviadok (UCO) 6-4, 6-2.
No. 2 - Abramovic (UCO) def. Martinez 6-0, 6-3.
No. 3 - Barnes (TSU) def. Rossini 6-1, 6-4.
No. 4 - Nieva (TSU) def. Pulumati 7-5, 3-6, 10-8.
No. 5 - Kochigina (UCO) def. Mitchell 6-3, 6-1.
No. 6 - Cabato (UCO) def. Deatherage 6-1, 6-0.

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