April 25, 2000

Four Missouri women's tennis players were selected to the Academic All-Big 12 team, the conference announced today. Senior Jelena Kocergin and junior Andrea Friedman were chosen for the first team while senior Joni Jordan and sophomore Caitlin Thompson were selected to the second team.

The selection is the third consecutive for Friedman who is studying journalism. She is the only current Tiger to have been selected every year of her collegiate career. Jordan and Kocergin receive the honor for the second straight year. After spending two years at UNLV, Kocergin transferred to Missouri and has excelled academically ever since. She and Jordan were chosen as honorable mention members last year. Jordan will graduate this May with a degree in communications while Kocergin will graduate with a degree in biochemistry.

Thompson, a first-time selection, is pursuing a degree in journalism.

Each university's director of student-athlete support services nominated the honored student-athletes. To qualify for the honor, student-athletes must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher (3.2+ for first team, 3.0-3.19 for second team), either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in at least 60 percent of her/his team's scheduled contests. Freshmen are not eligible during their first year.