Competing against Big 12 opponents No. 32 Texas and No. 35 Texas A&M, Kansas dropped its final two regular-season matches over the weekend, bringing their conference record to 4-7 and overall record to 10-12. The Big 12 Championship begins Thursday in Norman, Okla.

Jayhawk seniors Edina Horvath, who was recently named to the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 Women’s Tennis Team, and Yuliana Svistun played their final two home matches of their distinguished NCAA careers.

Svistun said she wished she had more time to play for the growing KU squad.

“I feel very sad,” Svistun said before Saturday’s dual match against Texas. “And it is very hard to believe. Sometimes I still think that come next year we are going to do even better than this year and then I realize that there is no more next year for me.”

Saturday’s doubles action featured a victory by Kansas’ Horvath and freshman Kate Morozova against the ranked Texas pairing of Vanja Corovic and Marija Milic, 8-3. But by that time Texas had already clinched the doubles point by winning at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions.

The Longhorns were relentless in the singles round as every match was won in straight sets, except at the No. 2 position where Morozova was able to take Krista Damico to three sets before losing 6-2, 5-7, 10-8. Texas defeated Kansas 7-0 in the dual match.

Svistun and Horvath were honored on Senior Day Sunday. Devoted fans gave bouquets of flowers and recognized their outstanding achievements, such as Svistun’s four consecutive winning seasons.

Sunday’s 6-1 dual match loss to Texas A&M included some success from Kansas. The KU doubles pair of Horvath and Morozova was able to win its match, 8-6, but the Aggies still took the early doubles point. Svistun was the only Jayhawk to pull out a victory in the singles competition, winning in a third-set tiebreaker 10-1.

Coach Amy Hall-Holt talked about Horvath and Svistun’s careers after Sunday’s dual match.

“Edina has always been a top competitor,” Hall-Holt said. “She puts her heart and soul out there. It was a tough role that I had her play at No. 1, but she fulfilled the role as a senior. I was really happy with how she ended her regular season.“

Hall-Holt said that watching Svistun play during the past four years has been “a learning experience” for her.

“The girl couldn’t even volley when she got here,” Hall-Holt said. “And now she’s playing No. 3, and she’s got one of the best records on the team. I’m really proud of both of them. They strive for excellence and it shows,”

— — Edited by Grant Treaster