March 16, 2000

Missouri sophomore Caitlin Thompson was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the week of March 6. Thompson played through a stomach virus leading the Tigers to a 5-4 victory over Texas Tech on March 4.

Thompson not only had to fend off the Red Raiders Sonnia Orellana, but she was able to keep a stomach virus in check long enough to win her singles match 6-3, 7-5. It was Thompson's third straight singles win, giving her a 4-6 overall singles record. The Roswell, Ga., native was down 4-0 in the second set before she mustered all her strength to battle back 5-5 and pull away with the victory. Her success continued in doubles as she teamed with Marina Zelenovic to beat Tech's Noel Ruiz and Renee Perrea, 8-2, to clinch Missouri's first conference win.

"I can easily say her performance paced us to our 5-4 win over Tech," head coach Blake Starkey said. "Sometimes there are outside factors that make performances a little bigger than normal. I was really impressed with her guts."

Starting on February 25, Missouri made a four-match swing through Texas, playing Texas A&M, Southwest Texas State, Texas and Texas Tech. Thompson combined for a 5-3 record against stiff competition in both singles and doubles.