Junior tennis player Kunigunda Dorn went home after last Sunday’s Border Showdown needing two things: Tylenol and a tissue.

Just one hour earlier, Dorn was beginning her third set against Missouri’s Kaitlyn Ritchie after winning the first set and dropping the second. The Tigers were leading the dual match 3-2, and freshman Ekaterina Morozova, who was battling a knee injury, was the only other KU player still on the court; she, however, was approaching match point in the third set. The Jayhawks needed both players to win.

Dorn knew the pressure that would be on her if Morozova won. Defeating the Tigers was a top priority for everyone this season.

“I saw that Kate was tied, so I was like, ‘I need to win,’” Dorn said. “So after the second set I knew I needed to win for Kate.”

With her match tied 1-1, Dorn became dispirited when Morozova lost her final set, which gave Missouri the fourth point required to win its third consecutive Border Showdown. The outcome affected Dorn’s performance.

“It was really hard not to think that we had already lost. I think if Kate would have won that match, I would have been more pumped up,” Dorn said.

Morozova was in tears after her match, eventually joining the rest of her doleful but supportive teammates and many KU fans to cheer for Dorn, but it was to no avail. The dual match ended 5-2.

Dorn said that losing to Missouri was a wake-up call and that she was so upset afterwards that she went home, headache-stricken, and wept. She said she has not been happy with her performance this season.

“Last season I was so much better, but I’m working on it,” Dorn said. “If I can do well in the next couple of matches, I’m gonna be happy.”

Today at 6 p.m. in Norman, Okla., the KU tennis team will continue their Big 12 campaign against Oklahoma, a team that also lost 5-2 to Missouri this season. Then on Sunday, the Jayhawks will travel to Stillwater, Okla. to contest Oklahoma State. Kansas defeated both squads in 2008.

Kansas is 1-3 in conference action and still has an opportunity to accomplish its other goal of finishing in the top half of the Big 12. Last year the players did that with a conference record of 5-6. In order to reach five conference wins this year, they will have to defeat two currently ranked teams. They have not beaten one so far this season. The Jayhawks’ best chance of defeating two ranked squads will be this Sunday against No. 70 Oklahoma State and next weekend against No. 68 Texas Tech. Oklahoma is not ranked.

“The seniors have talked a lot with us. I think the freshmen really need the confidence. It’s in the past that we lost to Missouri, but we need to work harder; actually we are working hard with the doubles,” Dorn said.

While her teammates were returning to their old doubles pairings of Svistun/Dorn and Martinez/Wilbert at practice on Wednesday, Morozova was sitting courtside, an indication that her knee is still troubling her. No word yet on if she will play this weekend or if freshman Alessandra Dzuba will replace her as senior Edina Horvath’s doubles partner.

— — Edited by Justin Leverett