April 4, 1999

The Missouri womens tennis team (8-13, 1-7) claimed their first Big 12 Conference victory today by defeating Iowa State (5-10, 0-7) 6-3. It is also the first conference win for the Tigers since October 24, 1981 when Missouri defeated Iowa State at the Big Eight Team Championships in Kansas City, Kan. The Tigers beat the Cyclones on that day 8-1.

"Iowa State is a good team, but we played very well," Coach Blake Starkey said.

Freshmen Biljana Pawlowa, Caitlin Thompson, Julie Thomas, and sophomore Andrea Friedman all won their singles matches. The highlight of the day, however, was Friedman's fight to the finish against the Cyclones' Edna Vazquez. Friedman, who has seen the most action at the No. 3 spot, played at No. 2. She lost the first set 6-2, but came back to win the second and third sets 7-6(4) and 7-5(5).

"I was very impressed with Andrea's play today," Starkey said. "She played lights out."

Prior to the Tigers win over the Cyclones on Sunday, the Tigers lost to Colorado (13-5, 2-2) on Saturday, 5-4. Missouri has three more conference matches and one non-conference match remaining. All will be played here in Columbia.