April 29, 2005

Austin, Texas- Missouri senior Katka Sevcikova, junior Hana Kraftova and sophomores Yelena Olshanskaya and Erika Josbena were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team as announced by the conference office earlier this week.

Sevcikova, an international studies major from Prague, Czech Republic, plays No. 1 singles and doubles for the Tigers.

Kraftova, a hotel and restaurant management major from Pilsen, Czech Republic, earns her second academic All-Big 12 award. Kraftova plays No. 2 singles and pairs with newcomer Lubica Nadasska at No. 3 doubles.

Olshanskaya, a sophomore from Los Angeles, California, is an elementary education major that plays primarily at No. 3 singles and pairs with Josbena at No. 2 doubles.

Josbena, a sophomore from Wallingford, Pennsylvania, is an interdisciplinary studies major, who pairs with Olshanskaya at No. 2 doubles and plays No. 5 singles.

To qualify for Big 12 academic recognition, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average or higher and must have participated in 6o percent of the team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. The director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices nominate student-athletes.