The Sooners swept Penn State on Sunday and face its first road match of the year Wednesday at No. 32 Tulsa.

Tulsa will look forward to for revenge after being upset by OU last spring.

“This year they’ll definitely be more prepared to face us,” junior Tara Eckel said. “But we’re also a much better team than last year.”

The Sooners have been winning convincingly this season. In five matches, OU has four shutouts. The team's only close match has been the 4-3 upset over No. 30 Alabama.

The Sooners have won 27 of 30 singles matches (24 in straight sets) and 13 of 15 doubles matches.

This year's team has already won more than half as many matches as the 2009 Sooners, who finished 9-13 overall and only 3-9 in conference.

“It has been a great experience,” Eckel said. “It just shows how much we’ve improved and how badly each of us wants to win every match.”

Coach David Mullins said the team’s main goal is to finish in the top five of the Big 12, which should put the Sooners in the top-45 nationally and land them a birth in the NCAA tournament.

OU is currently second in the Big 12 behind No. 51 Nebraska and hold its highest ranking yet under Mullins at No. 55.

“This year we definitely have nine players who can definitely compete at this level,” Mullins said.

OU’s leadership is strong with junior Ana-Maria Constantinescu, who last season was the Big 12 Player of the Year and conference doubles champion and who is undefeated in singles this year; and junior Maria Kalashnikova, Eckel’s new doubles partner, also undefeated in singles.

The Sooners also feature promising younger players. Sophomore Marie-Pier Huet plays the No. 2 singles position and freshman Teona Tsertsvadze pairs with Constantinescu for OU’s No. 1 doubles team, which is No. 39 nationally.

Eckel has high hopes for the team this year and beyond.

“This year is definitely our break-out year,” Eckel said. “We’re going to prove to everyone that we’re back on top. We’re in it for the long haul.”

Huet also sees this year's team improving on the past year's performances.

“I think we have a lot of chances this year (to win more matches), she said. “It’s real exciting.”

Huet said the difference is about more than just talent. Mullins is preparing the team better each week as well. His focus is on each individual performing her best and improving every week.

Mullins said Huet was his most improved player last year, and possibly this year also.

“I definitely thought [Huet] could get to this level,” Mullins said. “I didn’t envision it happening this quickly. If she can continue to improve the way she has then the sky is the limit. There’s no doubt about it. Her doubles play is phenomenal and she brings a lot of energy.”

The Tulsa match will be a measuring stick on the year. The Golden Hurricanes are much closer to the talent level the Sooners will face in the Big 12.

OU defeated then-No. 32 Tulsa last year 4-3.

“It’s going to be hard because every team is getting better,” Huet said. “Tulsa is a really good team. Last year we didn’t get lucky, but we came out as a team. Hopefully we can see that again this Wednesday and want it more than them.”