The Kansas women’s tennis team (4-9, 3-2 Big 12) has won its last two matches over conference opponents, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Kansas will get an opportunity for a third Big 12 victory tomorrow against Baylor (14-4, 5-0 Big 12).

Kansas is undefeated on the road in the Big 12.

“The confidence level and the competitiveness are there,” coach Amy Hall-Holt said.

The improvement of junior Christine Skoda, who ranks second in the conference with a 4-1 singles mark, has been one of the reasons for Kansas’ success.

Skoda began the spring season 0-5 and now is considered the Jayhawks top all-around threat.

“I’m feeling more confident in my shots,” Skoda said.

Hall-Holt said Skoda, one of two upperclassmen on the squad, had started to fill a leadership role.

“She’s going to keep on taking her game to a higher level,” Hall-Holt said.

The other junior, Luiza Loureiro, who has battled back pain this season, has assisted Skoda with team leadership.

“I like to cheer for my teammates,” Loureiro said. “I can be really loud.”

Loureiro, who has solely performed as a doubles player, said she expected to play this weekend.

“I think I can go,” Loureiro says. “It’s painful, but I’m going.”

Freshman Stephanie Smith has reeled off two straight singles victories. She has been praised by coaches for her baseline game and aggressive competitiveness.

Baylor earned its highest-ever ranking in the program history earlier this week under the leadership of third-year coach Joey Scrivano.

“Our team has improved a lot with their attitude,” Scrivano said. “We want to be excellent out on the court no matter who our opponent is.”

Scrivano, who led Baylor to the Big 12 Conference championship in his first season in 2003, has a talented player in freshman Zuzana Zemenova.

Zemenova, the only Big 12 player ranked in the top 25 nationally, has won 12 of her last 13 singles matches.

“We knew it would be just a matter of time before she made an impact before the national scene,” Scrivano said.

Standout talent Klara Zrustova, a sophomore from the Czech Republic, has seen action at both the number three and four singles position for Baylor.

Zrustova has won 14 straight singles matches, 13 of which were straight-set victories.

“She puts a lot of pressure on her opponents to beat her,” Scrivano said. “I don’t see anything changing with her.”

Sophomore Carolin Walter, who began the season ranked No. 31 in the country, saw her ranking slip as the NCAA slapped the German native with a 13-match suspension for competing at the collegiate level with club tennis experience overseas.

The NCAA recognizes club tennis as professional, which is not allowed in the collegiate ranks.

Since her return, Walter is 2-2.

Scrivano said his team wouldn’t underestimate Kansas.

“They are one of the up and coming teams in the Big 12,” Scrivano said. “They are starting to peak at the right time.”

The match also will reunite a coach and his former player. Kansas Assistant coach Frank Polito, while at Eastern Michigan, recruited and coached Scrivano in 1993.

“I have a lot of respect for him. I wish him all the best,” Scrivano said.

Polito said he remembered Scrivano as a serve and volley player who worked hard.

The coaches faced off while Polito served as an interim head coach at Ohio State, and Scrivano was in his first season at Baylor.

“I am 1-0 against him right now,” Polito said. “Hopefully, I can keep that streak alive.”

Kansas will face Baylor at 1 p.m. in Waco, followed by a Sunday match-up against Texas Tech in Lubbock.

— Edited by Lisa Coble-Krings