Sooners Drop Cyclones, 6-1

Friday, April 6

Ames, Iowa

3:00 PM

Iowa State

Oklahoma

04.06.2007 | Tennis

By: cyclones.com

AMES, Iowa - Freshman Alyssa Palen won her third straight conference singles match, but the Iowa State tennis team fell, 6-1, to Oklahoma at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center Friday. With the loss the Cyclones fall to 5-8 overall and 0-7 in the Big 12, while the Sooners improve to 7-9 overall and 4-3 in conference action.

In doubles action, ISU's No. 2 tandem of Jill Palen and Caitlin Loprinzi battled Oklahoma's Monica Purice and Christi Baxley down to the final point, before falling in a tie breaker, 9-8 (7-4). In the No. 3 slot, ISU's Chrissy Derouin and Alyssa Palen traded point after point early-on with OU's Chelsea Orr and Rachael Cox before falling, 8-4.

"We came out with a lot of energy and I was extremely pleased with our doubles play today," head coach Michele Conlon said.

In singles action, Alyssa Palen improved her singles record to 10-6 as she defeated Oklahoma's Orr in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The Rochester, Minn. native, has won three consecutive Big 12 singles matches.

"I thought Alyssa played another great match today," Conlon said.

In the No. 1 singles slot, ISU's Jill Palen, battled back after dropping the first set, 6-1, and won the second set, 7-5, before falling in a tie-breaker, 10-7.

The Cyclones will return to the courts Saturday as they host No. 64 Oklahoma State on Senior Day at 3:30 p.m., at the Ames Racquet and Fitness Center. Iowa State will recognize their three seniors, Jill Palen, Eve Soriano, and Danielle Uscinski.