Jan. 9, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Preparing to open the 2004 season, four members of the Missouri women's tennis team earned spots in the recently released ITA Central Region Rankings.

Backed by an impressive fall season, two-time Central Region doubles champion Urska Juric lead the Tigers with a third-place ranking. Junior Katka Sevcikova joined her partner in the top-20 coming in as the 14th-ranked singles player.

After blazing onto the collegiate scene giving up just one loss during her fall campaign, freshman Yelena Olshanskaya opens her inaugural spring season ranked 28th in the Central Region. Rounding out the singles quad, 2004 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Hana Kraftova earned a 30th-ranked nod.

Adding to Mizzou's singles honors, the Tigers also boast two doubles teams earning regional kudos. The powerful duo of Juric and Sevcikova top in as the third ranked team, while Kraftova and partner Lucie Ruskova ranked 15th.

Looking to reaffirm and exceed their regional expectations, the Tigers kick off the 2004 season on January 31 hosting a double-header against Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois at the Green Tennis Center.