March 2, 2003

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

The Wyoming Cowgirl tennis team closed out the weekend with a close 4-3 victory over the Portland State Vikings, on Sunday morning, in Portland. Wyoming now moves to 4-3 overall in dual play, while the Vikings dropped to 4-7 on the season.

The Cowgirls fell behind early in doubles play as the team of Katie Owens and Denise Cockrell defeated Yuliani Santi and Jen Hancock, 8-4. At the No. 2 doubles spot, the Wyoming team of Patricia Chien and Kati Gyulai lost to Lisa Bessman and Katie Slizewski, 8-6 (9-8).

Wyoming would have to pull out four of five matches in singles play to earn the victory. Playing in the No. 1 spot, freshman Patricia Chien defeated Katie Owens, 6-4, 6-4, while Yuliani Santi pulled of the straight set victory, 6-4, 6-1, over Katie Slizewski. It would come down to the three and four spots as Jen Hancock earned a 6-3, 6-3 win against Blaze Wadrum and senior Kati Gyulai defeated Denise Cockrell, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9), which gave the Cowgirls the win.

"After falling in doubles play, the kids really turned it on in their singles matches," said head coach Pam Wildt. "It was probably the best I'd seen them compete. They went after everything and really gave a great effort. Overall, it was an impressive weekend for the No. 2 and 3 spots, especially being down already with only five players. I'm just really proud of them."

The Cowgirls will on the road again this weekend in Colorado Springs. They will face UT Pan American, on Saturday night at 5:00 p.m., and then Southern Utah, Sunday morning, at 8:00 a.m.

Singles
1. Patricia Chien (UW) def. Katie Owens (PSU), 6-4, 6-4
2. Yuliani Santi (UW) def. Katie Slizewski (PSU), 6-4, 6-1
3. Kati Gyulai (UW) def. Denise Cockrell (PSU), 7-5, 7-6 (11-9)
4. Jen Hancock (UW) def. Blaze Wadrum (PSU), 6-3, 6-3
5. Lisa Bessman (PSU) def.Megan Williams (UW), 6-1, 6-2
6. default to Portland State

Doubles
1. Owens/Cockrell (PSU) def. Santi/Hancock (UW), 8-4
2. Bessman/Slizewski (PSU) def. Gyulai/Chien (UW), 8-6 (9-8)
3. default to Portland State