Tech tennis clips Kansas

Already, the Kansas University women’s tennis team is finding a home in its new dome.

Even with sunny skies and a high in the upper-60s, the Jayhawks opted for the comforts of the newly opened First Serve tennis facility in Lawrence, looking for every edge they could get in their first home dual against Texas Tech.

“We wanted to play inside – we’ve been playing inside,” Kansas sophomore Lauren Hommel said. “It’s been cold, and it’s to their advantage if we go outside because in Texas they play outside everyday.”

The home-court advantage still wasn’t quite enough, as Texas Tech’s Katja Kovcic won the final match of the day to secure a 4-3 victory.

Kansas fell by the same margin in last year’s dual.

“It’s definitely frustrating,” KU coach Amy Hall-Holt said. “We’ve worked so hard. We feel like we’ve gotten the girls prepared, and then once we step out here, I don’t feel like they have contributed what we’ve done in practice. We’ve got a lot of work to do this week.”

Kansas freshman Ksenia Bukina returns a shot against Texas Tech. Bukina won in singles and doubles, but the Jayhawks fell to the Red Raiders, 4-3, Sunday at the First Serve tennis facility.

Kansas did receive a strong performance from No. 1 singles player Ksenia Bukina in her first home meet.

The freshman, who is currently ranked 81st in the ITA rankings, dominated Tara Browning, 6-4, 6-1, after combining with teammate Elizaveta Avdeeva to sweep Tech’s No. 1 doubles team, 8-0.

“I was playing my first match here at home, and there were people cheering for me,” Bukina said. “I felt fine, and I really liked it. I started to play better.”

Bukina, a native of Obninsk, Russia, said the victories were especially significant to her because of the encouragement she received.

“I’ve never had so much cheering because I played only singles tournaments in Russia,” Bukina said. “I never played for a team, so usually nobody cheered.”

Hommell played well in her first home match, posting an impressive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Lakann Wagley.

“I went out with a lot of confidence and started attacking from the beginning,” Hommell said. “It got under her skin a little.”

The other victory came from Edina Horvath, who battled her way to a 7-6, 6-3 triumph in No. 5 singles.

“She had her ‘A’ mind but not her ‘A’ game,” Hall-Holt said. “She had to earn it. She’s just got to believe in her game.”

Kansas will play host to duals against Iowa and Oklahoma State next weekend.