March 10, 2002

The University of Missouri women's tennis team upset the No. 23 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday to record its first Big 12 Conference victory of the season.

The Tigers won two of the three doubles matches to earn the doubles point. The two teams then split the six singles matches, giving Mizzou the 4-3 victory.

Sophomore Urska Juric, junior Kristina Olshanskaya and senior Caitlin Thompson were the three Tigers to earn singles victories. The MU doubles victories came from Juric and freshman Katka Sevcikova and Olshanskaya and freshman Lucie Ruskova.

"This was a obviously a great win for us, and it says a lot about our team," MU Head Coach Blake Starkey said. "So many matches this year have been 4-3 to the other team. We've been right there in every single match. I've wanted our kids to keep it in perspective, and keep a good sense of humor. They know good things are coming, and that the ball eventually bounces your way. But to finally come out and not only have it happen, but do it against a top 25 team. Wow. Caitlin closed it out in singles, but this was finally the team effort we've been chasing."

RESULTS
Singles
Urska Juric def. Dominika Olszewska 6-2, 5-7, 6-4
Linda Faltynkova def. Katka Sevcikova 6-4, 7-6 (5)
Kate Vasylyeva def. Mary Barry 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
Kristina Olshanskaya def. Ashley Dolman 6-0, 6-0
Katia Kolodynsva def. Lucie Ruskova 6-2, 6-4
Caitlin Thompson def. Ines Furtmayr 6-4, 6-1

Doulbes
Juric/Sevcikova def. Faltynkova/Dolman 8-5
Ruskova/Olshanskaya def. Pauchnik/Furtmayr 8-2
Olszewska/Vasylyeva def. Thompson/Barry 8-6