Kansas Secures Fifth Ranked Victory Over UCF 4-1 in Lawrence
Kansas delivered a commanding 4-1 result against No. 19 UCF on Sunday afternoon at the Jayhawk Tennis Center. This outcome marks the fifth time this season Kansas has prevailed over a ranked opponent and the second consecutively. Such consistent results underscore the emphasis on disciplined preparation, as noted by Todd Chapman: "I thought we fought hard in all nine spots today. We flipped a switch in doubles and never turned it back off."
Doubles Provides Early Edge
Kansas captured the doubles point after an initial slow start, securing a 1-0 lead entering singles. Heike Janse van Vuuren and Meg McCarty earned a 6-2 decision over Lauren Seye and Olivia Bergler on the second court, improving their season record to 7-3. Kyoka Kubo and Meriem Ben Ezzedine staged a comeback on the third court, forcing a tiebreak and winning 7-6 (4) after trailing 3-5.
Singles Delivers Decisive Points
Momentum carried into singles, where Kansas claimed quick wins on multiple courts to extend the lead to 3-0. Yerkezhan Arystanbekova dispatched Marina Gatell 6-1, 6-3, while Meg McCarty overpowered Lauren Seye 6-2, 6-2, lifting her singles record to 7-4. No. 53 Kyoka Kubo sealed the result on the top court with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 triumph over Olivia Bergler; UCF responded with one point as Jantje Tilbuerger bested Heike Janse van Vuuren 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Two contests remained unfinished: Anna Putilina ahead of Jade Psonka 0-6, 6-3, 5-1, and Ben Ezzedine versus Vladislava Andreevskaya at 5-7, 5-4.
Process Drives Season Progress
Chapman emphasized execution following a demanding prior outing: "The biggest thing we talk about is that the results come from the process of handling things the right way... I'm proud of the girls for the way we handled today." Kansas now stands at 9-7 overall and 5-2 in conference play, with an 8-3 home record. In collegiate tennis, where dual formats hinge on securing four of nine points, such focus builds resilience and positions programs for deeper postseason runs. The Jayhawks next head to Arizona for meetings with Arizona State on March 27 at 6 p.m. CT and another foe.
Competition Results
- Doubles: 1) Tilbuerger/Gatell (UCF) d. Arystanbekova/Putilina (KU), 6-2; 2) van Vuuren/McCarty (KU) d. Seye/Bergler (UCF), 6-2; 3) Kubo/Ben Ezzedine (KU) d. Andreevskaya/Psonka (UCF), 7-6 (4)
- Singles: 1) No. 53 Kubo (KU) d. Bergler (UCF), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2; 2) Tilbuerger (UCF) d. van Vuuren (KU), 2-6, 6-1, 6-2; 3) Arystanbekova (KU) d. Gatell (UCF), 6-1, 6-3; 4) Ben Ezzedine (KU) vs. Andreevskaya (UCF), 5-7, 5-4 (unfinished); 5) McCarty (KU) d. Seye (UCF), 6-2, 6-2; 6) Putilina (KU) vs. Psonka (UCF), 0-6, 6-3, 5-1 (unfinished)
