Skye Duncan | Lariat Photo Editor
By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
Top-seeded Baylor women’s tennis was ready. The team didn’t need any help from doubles action, and while the threat of rain forced singles matches to be played first, the Bears did not miss a beat.
Baylor blanked No. 9-seed Kansas State 4-0 Friday afternoon at the Hurd Tennis Center. It is the 12th straight year that the Bears have made the semifinal round of the tournament.
The Bears (23-6) were forced to play the waiting game after matches were being shifted back and forth from the Hurd Tennis Center to the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center all day.
“We were really efficient today, and that was because the players were ready and business-like,” head coach Joey Scrivano said. “They adjusted really well [to the changes] and were flexible, and once they got on the court their minds were in the right places, so that’s all that matters.”
Junior Kiah Generette delivered the first point after her opponent Palma Juhasz retired on court two. She was leading 3-0 at the time. Although she didn’t finish, Scrivano was impressed by the style of play she exerted at the No. 2 spot.
“She looked great in the three games,” Scrivano said. “She’s played a lot of tough matches over the season and has a lot of tennis under her belt. That’s a blessing.”
Freshman Kelley Anderson didn’t have any trouble on court five as she rolled over Maria Panaite 6-1, 6-0 and gave Baylor the 2-0 lead. Senior Ema Burgic was quickly behind her as she aced Carolina Costamagna at the top of the lineup for a 6-0, 6-1 win. Burgic sat out in the previous meeting against Kansas State last Sunday.
“Whenever Coach sits you out, you want to play more and more,” Burgic said. “You really want to win and play. I felt really confident on the court today. I didn’t let my focus go down the whole match. I want to keep this game throughout the tournament, and I think I will.”
Freshman Theresa Van Zyl completed the sweep as she won 6-1, 6-3 on court four. It was the Bears’ 16th shutout of the season.
Baylor will now prepare for the winner of No. 4-seed TCU and No. 5-seed Texas. The Bears defeated both teams 4-0 in the regular season.
“Both are great teams,” Scrivano said. “TCU has had an incredible season. I feel like Texas at any moment is going to put it together and play up to their abilities, so they’re going to be tough opponents. We don’t care who it is, but we’ve just go to do our thing.”
Baylor and TCU/Texas face off in the Big 12 tournament semifinals at 3 p.m. tomorrow at the Hurd Tennis Center. Follow @BUCodySoto for live coverage all weekend.
