TULSA -- Senior Anastasia Surkova and her doubles partner Elle Carney defeated incredible odds to win their doubles match against a strong New Mexico team at the Wilson ITA Division I Central Regional Championships on Friday.
"We've had some funny things happen to us while we've been here," explained head coach Craig Manning. "While Elle was sitting in the stands after winning her singles match, something fell in her eye. She played the entire doubles match being able to see with only one eye."
Despite the injury, Carney proved her strength and along with Surkova recorded a close 9-7 victory over the ninth-seed in the tournament.
"Somehow [Carney and Sukova] won the doubles match, which is really quite amazing," said Manning.
In singles play, sophomore Chie Hayasaka and freshman Elizaveta Ezhova were both defeated in the round of 32. Ezhova's 6-3, 6-1 loss against Pichittra Thongdach from Boise State was as impressive to Manning as her wins earlier in the week.
"[Ezhova] is a young player and played really well today," said Manning. "She had another good performance."
Including the misfortune for Carney, injuries have plagued the team since arriving at the tournament. On the team's first day of practice in Tulsa, Hayasaka sprained her ankle, and later it was discovered that Kristina Doerr had a broken toe. In addition, Surkova is still nursing a sore ankle from earlier in the year. To cap off the unusual week, the team was caught in a tornado while playing at the outdoor tennis courts.
"We've done a lot of good things while we've been here, but a lot of weird things have happened," said Manning. "We're just hoping to get home in one piece at this rate."
If all goes well, Carney and Surkova will prepare to face Boise State's Thongdach and Polina Kokoulina at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday.
RESULTS
P. Thongdach (BSU) def. E. Ezhova (BYU) 6-1, 6-3
M. Voleker (DU) def. C. Hayasaka (BYU) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles
Carney and Surkova (BYU) def. Scott and Zmak (UNM) 9-7
Consolation Singles
E. Carney (BYU) def. J. Mackova (BSU) 7-5, 6-4
M. Kalashnikova (OU) def. K. Doerr (BYU) 6-0, 6-3
S. Zmak (UNM) def. E. Carney (BYU) 6-1, 6-1