The No. 18 Baylor women’s tennis team (20-5) swept No. 27 Kansas (12-9) on Senior Day, 4-0, at Hurd Tennis Center. With the victory, the Lady Bears became the fifth team in program history to go undefeated at home and the first to do so since 2010.
The Lady Bears close out the regular season with a 20-5 record overall and enter the Big 12 Championship as the No. 3 seed after compiling an 8-2 mark in conference play. Baylor will open postseason action against No. 6 seed Oklahoma at 4 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 28, in Norman, Okla.
Kansas, unable to field a No. 3 doubles team, put Baylor one doubles win away from a 1-0 advantage. After the Jayhawks recorded a win at No. 2 doubles, senior Blair Shankle and sophomore Karina Traxler came through in the clutch with a victory over No. 30-ranked duo Nina Khmelnitchkaia and Tess Bernard-Feigenbaum, 7-5, at No. 1 singles.
After an incomplete lineup gave Baylor another point at No. 6 singles for a 2-0 lead, the seniors took it home for the Lady Bears. No. 5-ranked Shankle played her way to a 6-3, 6-4 victory at No. 1 singles over No. 74-ranked Anastasia Rychagova. It marked her eighth win over a ranked opponent this season. Shankle closes the regula season with a 25-4 singles record and a 7-1 record in Big 12 action.
Fellow senior, No. 116-ranked, Rhiann Newborn defeated Bernard-Feigenbaum, 6-1, 7-5, at No. 2 to clinch the match. Newborn enters the postseason with an 18-6 record in singles, including a 4-1 mark in Big 12 play.
OTHER NOTABLES
? The Lady Bears lead the all-time series against the Jayhawks 22-6.
? The 2017 squad is the fifth team in school history to compile a perfect mark on their home court 14-0 (2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017).
? Baylor is 7-2 in conference play and is 8-4 against ranked opponents.
? The Lady Bears have won 10 of their last 11 matchups.
TOP QUOTES
“Today was about our seniors. We were trying to make sure that we honored our seniors the right way, but we had to make sure we got the match against Kansas. The focus was there first and I’m so impressed with our girls. Their ability to focus on the task at hand, play a really tough Kansas team, find a way to win and afterwards honor two amazing seniors, Blair and Rhiann. That was our goal today and thankfully that all worked out the right way.” - Head coach Joey Scrivano
“Blair has been one of the best players we’ve ever had here. She’s given everything she’s had to the program. When Blair’s career is officially finished at Baylor, she can feel really good about what she’s done here. She’s emptied the tank. She’s given Baylor everything she has and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for from an athlete. I’m so proud of her. I’m really excited about her future beyond tennis, I know she’ll do great things in whatever she decides to do.” - Head coach Joey Scrivano
“Rhiann came to us as a transfer student and I wish I had two more years with her, she’s been incredible. She’s given us everything she’s got and she’s improved so much. This year, one of the big reasons we’re having this big a year is because of her development. I’m so proud of her. I love the seniors, they’re my kids. It’s been a great ride and we want to keep it going.” - Head coach Joey Scrivano
“This is the best team I could ever ask for. They’re such hard workers and I love hanging around with them. They’re so friendly, so nice, so funny and we’ve come together as a team and we’ve bonded so well so I’m happy I was able to be a part of this team.” - Senior Rhiann Newborn
“I can’t believe it’s already been four years, it’s crazy. This team, this university has meant the world to me. I’ve grown a lot here both academically and athletically so it’s been a great place for me.” - Senior Blair Shankle
WHAT’S NEXT
The Lady Bears will open postseason action against No. 6 seed Oklahoma at the 2017 Big 12 Tennis Championship in Norman, Oka, at 4 p.m. (CT) on Friday, April 28.
The four-day event will be held at Headington Family Tennis Center from April 27-30. General admission all-session tickets are available for $15 (adults) and $10 (youth) at www.big12sports.com. Fans can also purchase $5 single-day tickets in person on the day of the event.
