Jan. 28, 2004
The Mizzou women's tennis team collected three of a possible four flight titles competing in the Kansas State Invitational. Prepping for their opening regular season meet next weekend against Northern Iowa and Eastern Illinois, the Tigers showed the Big 12 they're ready for another record setting season in 2004.
Highlighting the meet, freshman Yelena Olshanskaya paired with senior Urska Juric to defeat KSU's Maria Rosenberg and Pamella Castilejos 8-2 to claim Sunday's doubles final.
Facing each other on the singles court, Rosenberg and Juric fought a second thrilling competition. In the #1 singles final, Rosenberg put up a great match upsetting #30 ranked Juric 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4).
MU freshman Erica Josbena won two matches to advance to the final of the B draw where she faced teammate Katka Sevcikova, who had also won two matches to reach the final. Since the two compete daily in practice, the pair opted to draw and instead face two exhibition opponents during the Sunday finals.
Rounding out the Mizzou lineup, Lucie Ruskova claimed the C Flight by winning all three of her round-robin matches to post the Tiger's best record.
"K-State has a great set-up and it was good to be on someone else's courts battling and getting in a lot of play," said MU Coach Blake Starkey. "We weren't very consistent, we have things that need to be improved upon, but overall there were several bright spots. The freshmen competed well. With the exception of one match out of their combined 12, Erica and Yelena showed they'll fight and play brave tennis. They'll need to continue this," he added.
Missouri's official 2004 spring season kicks off home double-header this Saturday when the Tigers take-on Eastern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Tigers face EIU at 9:00 a.m. and follow up against NIU at 2:00 p.m. Both matches are free to the public and will be played at the Green Tennis Center.
FINAL DAY RESULTS
Singles
Maria Rosenberg (KSU) def. (30) Urska Juric (Missouri), 7-6, 7-6 (4).
Jessica Simosa (KSU) def. Hana Kraftova (Missouri), 6-4, 6-2.
Yelena Olshanskaya (Missouri) def. Katie Chiu (Creighton), 6-3, 6-1.
Erika Josbena (Missouri) def. Christy Roth (Creighton), 6-2, 6-2.
Katka Sevcikova (Missouri) def. Hayley McIver (KSU), 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-5).
Mary Barry (Missouri) def. Pam Gerik (Creighton), 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles
Olshanskaya/Juric (Missouri) def. Castillejos/Rosenberg (KSU), 8-2.
Kraftova/Ruskova (Missouri) def. Simosa/Diaz (KSU), 8-5.
DAY TWO RESULTS:
Singles
(30) Urska Juric (Missouri) def. Megan Kowal (Creighton), 6-1, 6-1.
Jessica Simosa (KSU) def. Yelena Olshanskaya (Missouri), 6-0, 6-3.
Hana Kraftova (Missouri) def. Paulina Castillejos (KSU), 6-1, 6-3.
(30) Urska Juric (Missouri) def. Jessica Simosa (KSU), 7-6, 6-2.
Maria Rosenberg (KSU) def. Hana Kraftova (Missouri), 6-3, 6-3.
Yelena Olshanskaya (Missouri) def. Megan Kowal (Creighton), 7-6, 6-2.
Katka Sevcikova (Missouri) def. Judith Diaz (KSU), 6-1, 6-2.
Christy Roth (Creighton) def. Mary Barry (Missouri), 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Erika Josbena (Missouri) def. Pam Gerik (Creighton), 6-0, 6-2
Katka Sevcikova (Missouri) def. Christy Roth (Creighton), 6-4, 6-2.
Erika Josbena (Missouri) def. Hayley McIver (KSU), 6-0, 4-6, 6-3.
Mary Barry (Missouri) def. Kim Cavan (Creighton), 6-2, 6-0.
Kelly Crull (Missouri) def. Aveen Alkhatib (KSU), 4-6, 6-4, 1-0.
Lucie Ruskova (Missouri) def. Molly Green (Creighton), 6-0, 6-1.
Lucie Ruskova (Missouri) def. Aveen Alkhatib (KSU), 6-1, 6-1.
Molly Green (Creighton) def. Kelly Crull (Missouri), 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles
Olshanskaya/Juric (Missouri) def. McIver/Alkhatib (KSU), 8-5.
Barry/Josbema (Missouri) def. Simosa/Diaz (KSU), 8-4.
Kraftova/Ruskova (Missouri) def. Cavan/Green (Creighton), 8-5.
DAY ONE RESULTS:
Doubles
Olshanskaya/Juric (Missouri) def. Simosa/Diaz (KSU), 8-2.
Castillejos/Rosenberg (KSU) def. Barry/Josbena (Missouri), 9-8 (9)
Senders/Roth (Creighton) def. Kraftova/Ruskova (Missouri), 8-6
Barry/Josbena (Missouri) def. Chiu/Kowal (Creighton), 8-3.