Stillwater, Okla. ? Kansas University’s women’s tennis defeated Baylor, 4-2, and advanced to the Big 12 Conference Championship semifinals for the first time since 2002 on Friday afternoon at the Greenwood Tennis Center on the campus of Oklahoma State.

Despite playing down a player due to illness, Kansas picked up singles wins on four of five courts to finish off the Bears without having to compete in doubles.

“Whether it was playing with five players or having such a long day today, we made no excuses and came out and competed at a high level,” Kansas coach Todd Chapman said. “There is no other team in the country I would rather coach than this group. I could not be more proud. Unbelievable effort today. They played for each other, and they enjoyed themselves out there.”

After opening by forfeiting at No. 6 singles, Kansas bounced back with a win by freshman Nina Khmelnitckaia at No. 4 singles.

Baylor took a 2-1 lead when Theresa Van Zyl defeated KU’s Maria Jose Cardona at No. 5 singles before Kansas reeled off three straight wins from Janet Koch, Anastasiya Rychagova and Smith Hinton to close out the match.

Kansas will face top-seeded Oklahoma State in today’s semifinals.