University of Missouri
Texas
Tiger Tennis Hooks Horns
4/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
April 19, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri tennis team exorcised a demon of their own by beating the University of Texas today 4-3 at the Green Tennis Center. The Tigers finish the regular season 6-5 in conference and 15-6 overall. The Tigers finish above .500 in the conference for the first time in Big 12 history, the Tigers also beat the Longhorns for the first time as members of the Big 12.
The Tigers started the day off on a sour note, losing the doubles point. Previously, the Tigers had not won a match all season after dropping the doubles point. The Tigers reversed their fortunes in the singles matches. Senior Kristina Olshanskaya, playing her final match at home, beat Ziva Grasic 6-2, 6-4 to get the Tigers on the board. Junior Urska Juric lost the first set to Texas' Kendra Srohm 6-3 and was down 5-2 in the second set before roaring back to take the next 11 games winning the second set 7-5 and the decisive third set 6-0. Sophomore Katka Sevcikova also battled to win a three set match over Michelle Krinke 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 and Lucie Ruskova clinched the victory for Missouri with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Macey Breece.
Missouri head tennis coach Blake Starkey said, "This was a great win for Mizzou, and I am so happy for our players. We knew exactly what kind of match we would have to play to put ourselves in a position to win. Even then, it was very close. Our kids fought hard, played brave and very smart today. Being from Texas myself, I have nothing but respect for Jeff (Texas head coach Jeff Moore) and Texas' awesome traditions. But we are having fun creating tennis traditions here at Mizzou. Right now, we have to be one of the most dangerous teams anywhere, and we are playing very well right now. We just can't wait to get on the court next."
The Tigers will be in action next week at the Big 12 Tennis Championships at the Plaza Tennis Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
