Dec. 5, 2002

University of Missouri head tennis coach Blake Starkey announced today the signing of Yelena Olshanskaya (Los Angeles, California). She has consistently been ranked among the top ten in her age group in Southern California, which is widely considered the toughest tennis section nationally.

Olshanskaya will be the second in her family to be recruited to MU by Starkey. Yelena's older sister, Kristina, has lettered for MU the past three years, and is in her final season for MU now.

"We have obviously been aware of Yelena for a long time," said Coach Starkey. "She was ready for college tennis four years ago, and she will be a very solid player for us. She has a unique style, and people will come to know who she is pretty quickly. Yelena comes from an amazing family, with incredible character. I am very excited she is joining MU's tennis family, and wish she were already here. Eight years of Olshanskaya's should be fun."

Yelena was also recruited Loyola Marymount, California, Southern California, Fresno State, and Cal-Poly.