Jan. 26, 2002

The University of Missouri women's tennis team opened its 2002 season with a victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday. The Tigers won all of six singles matches and all three doubles matches.

In singles play, sophomore Urska Juric, freshman Katka Sevcikova, freshman Mary Barry, junior Kristina Olshanskaya, and freshman Lucie Ruskova all won their matches. Senior Caitlin Thompson also recorded a win by default.

The doubles team of Juric and Sevcikova won the No. 1 doubles match and Barry and Thompson won in the No. 2 doubles match. Olshanskaya and Ruskova picked up a win in doubles play by default.

"We picked up just where we left off last fall," MU Head Coach Blake Starkey said. "I was pleased with how we played today. Lucie is really starting to step up and the other players are right where they have been all year."

Saturday's matches were the first to be held at the new Green Tennis Center at Mizzou.

"It was really wonderful to be in the facility," Starkey said. "It is a great environment and makes it a lot of fun for everyone there. We are looking forward to playing there tomorrow and throughout the season."

The Tigers will return to the courts at the Green Tennis Center tomorrow at noon to take on Southeast Missouri State.

Singles
1. Urska Juric (MU) def. Erika Ochea (SIU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Katka Sevcikova (MU) dec. Alehandra Blanco (SIU) 6-3, 6-2
3. Mary Barry (MU) dec. Tayna Trapani (SIU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Kristina Olshanskaya (MU) def. Kari Stark (SIU) 6-3, 6-0
5. Lucie Ruskova (MU) def. Sarah Krismantis (SIU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Caitlin Thompson (MU) won by default

Doubles
1.Urksa Juric/ Katka Sevcikova (MU) def. Alehandra Blanco/ Tayna Trapani 8-2
2. Mary Barry/ Caitlin Thompson (MU) def. Erika Ochea/ Kari Stark (SIU) 8-4
3. Kristina Olshanskaya/ Lucie Ruskova (MU) won by default

GREEN TENNIS CENTER AT MIZZOU FIRSTS

The Green Tennis Center hosted its first ever tennis action on Saturday, January 26. The first game began at 9:51 when Southern Illinois' Alehandra Blanco served to start the doubles match of Blanco and Tayna Trapani of SIU against Urska Juric and Katka Sevcikova of Missouri. Here are some of the other first that took place on Saturday.

First Game: Urska Juric/Katka Sevcikova (MU) v. Alehandra Blanco/Tayna Trapani (SIU)
First Serve: Alehandra Blanco (SIU)
First Win: Juric/Sevcikova (MU) def. Blanco/Trapani (SIU) 8-2
First Singles Win: Lucie Ruskova (MU) def. Sarah Krismantis (SIU) 6-1, 6-1
First MU team victory: Missouri def. Southern Illinois 7-0