With their matches already over and a Kansas University victory never more secure, Courtney and Kristen Steinbock decided to have a little fun at Robinson Courts on Saturday.

Instinctively, as if their minds were connected, the two sisters jumped up during a late game-break and began lobbing tennis balls the length of two courts into a trash barrel just outside of the fence surrounding the courts.

Kansas' Courtney Steinbock returns a shot during a match against Missouri. The Jayhawks defeated the Tigers, 6-1, Saturday at Robinson Courts.

“Ah, we were just messing around,” said Courtney with a smile.

And why not?

The two sisters twins for that matter already had won their No. 1 doubles match, coming back in dramatic fashion to defeat Missouri’s Urska Juric and Katka Sevcikova, 9-8.

The Steinbocks’ victory helped the Jayhawks sweep the doubles competition Saturday and sparked a near flawless afternoon for Kansas as KU defeated Missouri, 6-1, and improved its win streak to 10 straight.

“They have been a big spark this season,” said Kansas coach Kilmeny Waterman of her sophomore duo that has won seven of its last eight matches. “They offer two unique perspectives.”

But things weren’t always bright for the Steinbocks, as they found themselves down 6-3 early in their match and both said they were starting to get irritated with the other.

Instead of continuing to talk, though, they shut their mouths and started to play a trait that has been quite beneficial for the tandem since they started the season with five straight losses.

“We’re starting to finally play to the high expectations that we had for each other when we came out of high school,” said Kristen, who along with her sister won the state doubles title at Coronado High School in Lubbock, Texas their senior seasons. “The competition is so much higher here, and we have kind of been battling injuries ever since we started, but now we’re playing about the best we ever have.”

It couldn’t have come at a better time for Kansas (13-3, 7-0 in the Big 12), which is off to its best start since the 1998 season and has a chance today to clinch its first undefeated home season since 1994 when it takes on Iowa State at 11 a.m. at Alvamar.

The Jayhawks, who defeated Missouri for the 21st time Saturday, can make it 21 straight against the Cyclones as well.

“Right now it’s just an unbelievable atmosphere to be a part of,” Waterman said. “The girls are having so much fun.”

Part of the reason, of course, is the Steinbocks, who Waterman says lp keep the team really relaxed,” but the Steinbocks are quick to point the praise to their teammates.

Freshman Aurelie Bejar won her 10th match in row when she defeated MissouriCaitlin Thompson, 6-3, 7-5. Kim Lorenz (12-1) bounced back at No. 6 singles after having her win streak snapped Wednesday against Kansas State, when she defeated Lucie Ruskova, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 Saturday.

But even with other players impressive accolades it has been the Steinbocks that have taken the top spot as of late.

In addition to the pair’s doubles play, Courtney was just named Big 12 player of the week with her 9-0 record at No. 3 singles.

“I really donknow whatbeen going on lately,” she said of her individual and paired success. “We just go out there and take the match that day at hand and play the best we can.”

For Kansas, that strategy has produced a two-prong effect: wins and fun.

“It truly is a great time,” Waterman said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”