For the 14th consecutive season, the 25th-ranked Baylor women’s tennis program will play in the second round of the NCAA Championships. After falling behind, 3-0, the Bears clawed their way back to edge 36th-ranked NC State, 4-3, at Los Angeles Tennis Center Friday afternoon.
The Wolfpack jumped ahead with doubles wins on courts one and two and carried the positive momentum into singles play. NC State recorded wins on courts two and four to extend its advantage to 3-0 over the Bears.
Sophomore Angelina Shakhraichuk put Baylor on the board, securing a three-set win on court six, 6-3, 3-6, 6-0, against Tayla Stenta. Freshman Livia Kraus turned the tide for the Bears, following with another victory in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, against Bianca Moldovan on court five. The result extends her win streak to nine-straight singles matches.
Senior Theresa Van Zyl, who was fighting for to play another match in the Green and Gold, set Baylor up for the win with an upset victory in three sets, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4, over 100th-ranked Anna Rogers on court one. It marked her first win over a ranked foe this season.
Each team’s fate came down to the match on court three, featuring freshman Kristina Sorokolet and Taylor Bridges. Sorokolet won the first set, 6-4, but fell in a tight second set, 7-5. With the result up for grabs, Sorokolet rose to the occasion to clinch the victory, 6-3, for the Bears.
