Wichita State claimed the doubles point and held off Kansas State’s surge in singles competition, handing the Wildcats a 4-2 loss on Feb. 13.

The in-state rivals have split their last six meetings, with the Shockers holding a 3-2 edge in Manhattan during that span. In the matchup, Wichita State gained early momentum, sweeping two doubles matches. 

In the No. 2 spot for Wichita State, Theodora Chantava and Kristina Kudryavesta defeated Sasha Kyselova and Chanel Rustemova 6-1. The Shockers followed up with another victory, as Anne Knuettel and Vichitraporn Vimuktananda defeated K-State freshmen Diana Smolinska and Varvara Bernovich 6-3. 

The Wildcats’ top tandem of No. 33-ranked Maragloo Chogsomjav and Martaa Chogsomjav was behind 5-3 against No. 12-ranked Giorgia Roselli and Xin Tong Wang when play was suspended before completion.

“[I’m} disappointed in our start today,” K-State head coach Jordan Smith said. “The last two matches, we haven’t been aggressive enough on the doubles court. And it’s hurting us by starting down 1-0.”

The Wildcats responded with two straight set victories in singles. Smolonska improved to 2-2 this spring with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Kudryavtseva. Kustemova extended her winning streak to three matches, advancing past Knuttel 6-1, 6-2.

The Shockers would secure the remaining courts to clinch the match, however. Wang edged Maragloo Chogsomjav in a tight contest, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, a game in which the opening set was decided in a tiebreaker, and Wang closed the second by winning the final three points. 

Kyselova faced her first ranked opponent of the season, falling 6-3, 6-3 to Roselli, and Martaa Chogsomjav was defeated by Chantava 6-2, 6-2. 

“Singles play was better, but we were not consistent enough as a team with our belief and attitude management,” Smith said. “Which doesn’t help us beat good teams. We’ll have to work harder this week to be ready for more home matches.”

The Wildcats remain at home next weekend, hosting Old Dominion on Feb. 20 and Minnesota on Feb. 22.