Margarita Karnaukhova shrugged her shoulders as if to ask, “Where’s the competition?”

It wasn’t to be found on this day. Karnaukhova defeated Idaho State’s Armine Sarkavagyan in straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

“I was a little bored,” Karnaukhova said. “I was trying to get a little competition, trying to get in a good match. I was a little irritated that she couldn’t compete.”

Like a cat playing with a mouse before killing it, the nation’s No. 45 ranked player toyed with her opponent before ending the match, even finding time to chat with a teammate two courts away in between serves.

After being thoroughly dominated by Karnaukhova, all Sarkavagyan could do is curse at herself as she exited the court.

“That was really (expletive) fun,” Sarkavagyan said.

Meanwhile, back at the court, the Russia native gave the crowd a curtsy and thanked them for coming. She appeared almost apologetic for disposing of her opponent so quickly.

It would appear that the Hornets are on track for a third straight championship having defeated every Big Sky opponent 7-0 this season.

Going into the championships, the team has won 16 straight competitions, marking a record for the school’s program. As for the upcoming Big Sky Conference Championships, the 5-foot-10 sophomore displays her usual confidence.

“No question we will win,” she said. “We will go and have a good time and bring home the championship again.”

It seems the only thing that can slow Karnaukhova down is injuries.

She has been hindered in the past with a bad back, which kept her out of last fall’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Women’s All-American Championships. She said the pain was so frustrating that she contemplated quitting the sport.

Luckily for the Hornets she found an answer to her pain ? acupuncture. After about three sessions of the treatment, her back stopped ailing her and now says her back doesn’t hurt at all anymore.

Karnaukhova, who turned 19 in January, said she draws a lot of support from her coach, Joseph Gilbert. She said he works with her on the mental side of the game, letting her know that there will be bad days, but she will be able to get through them.

Since the beginning of the season, last year’s Big Sky tennis MVP has continued her great play from last year, winning Big Sky Player of the Week twice this season and posting a singles record of 18-3 in the process.

The high point of the season thus far came on April 11, when she defeated the No. 12 ranked player in the nation, Jelena Pandzic of Fresno State 7-6, 6-1. At the time, Karnaukhova was ranked 78, but has since seen her ranking go up into the 40s consistently.

Playing against high-ranking opponents doesn’t happen very often in the Big Sky, so Karnaukhova is interested to see how she would do against the nations best.

“Right now, if I get a chance to play in the NCAA tournament, it will be a great opportunity to see where I am.”

Wherever the team is heading, Karnaukhova will not be alone. Along with No. 40 ranked freshman Anna Erikson, and Roberta Fessenko who has been ranked in the top 100 this year, the Hornets will look to make an impact in this year’s tournament.

Erikson has posted a singles record of 19-1, Fessenko 19-3.

Karnaukhova is also a member of a formidable doubles team. Teamed up with her teammate and friend, senior Marta Gronowicz, they have posted a 14-6 record this year.

Off the court, they spend time together, mostly just relaxing and watching movies after long days at practice.

A normal week for this Division I tennis star includes six 1 1/2 ? hour cardio sessions, weights three times, not to mention over three hours of practice per day.

All that work could pay off for her when it comes time for the NCAA to select the top 64 players to be in this year’s singles tournament.

Head coach Bill Campbell feels that Karnaukhova has a great chance of being selected into the NCAA singles tournament, which would be a first for the program. Anna Erikson is also a threat to be selected.

As for the team, this year’s Hornets could make a major move in the NCAA tournament.

“There isn’t a single team in the country we can’t compete with.” Campbell said.

“We could have a chance to win the whole thing. The team does a great job pushing each other.”

Sacramento will be the No. 1 seed in the conference championships when it starts on Friday, in Ogden, Utah.