Oct. 25, 2003

Salt Lake City, Utah-Putting up a solid showing at the ITA Central Regional Championships, the Mizzou tennis team's top singles player, #1 seeded Urska Juric advanced to the quarterfinal round of the prestigious competition.

Heading undefeated into the quarterfinal round, Juric defeated Colorado's Jessica Vanderdys, Oklahoma's Heather Saluri and Tulsa's Ilona Somers without giving up a single set. Facing Boise State's Jemima Hayward, Juric was knocked out of the competition in a close 6-3, 6-2 heartbreaker.

Juric and partner Katka Sevcikova, the #1 seeded doubles play, also advanced to the quarterfinals after winning three consecutive matches. The pair fell to Jana Kovacek and Sandy Lukowski of New Mexico, 8-2.

Rounding out Mizzou's singles play, Sevcikova won two rounds before falling in a thrilling 7-6 (5), 6-4 match to Oklahoma's #2 seeded Anda Perianu.

Freshman Yelena Olshanskaya, who had won ten straight matches, added two more before falling to Arkansas's Melissa Cornett in three sets. She finishes her fall campaign 12-1-a team best.

Brandishing some additional freshman pizzazz, fellow newcomer Erica Josbena knocked off the #4 seeded Gina Black of Arkansas in the first round before falling in three sets to Oklahoma State's Ines Furtmayer.

Mary Barry defeated Iowa State's Eve Soriana before falling to Rebecca Pike of Brigham Young.

Big 12 Freshman of the Year Hana Kraftova was defeated in the first round by Denver's Jennifer Trettin, but has rebounded nicely in the backdraw where she has won three straight matches to advance to the backdraw quarterfinals.

For complete results of the ITA Central Regional Championships, please log onto http://www.tennisinformation.com/tourny/5/1/4/5/0/2/5/default.asp.