Feb. 17, 2006
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's tennis team returns to the court on Saturday at noon when it hosts No. 36 Nebraska at the Green Tennis Center.
The Tigers are 3-2 on the spring and 0-1 in the Big 12 after losing to then-No. 61 Oklahoma on Monday in Columbia. Nebraska enters the match with a record of 5-1 (0-1 Big 12) after defeating then-No. 57 Arkansas on Monday. Missouri Head Coach Blake Starkey believes the Huskers will provide a good test for Mizzou. "Nebraska is an awfully good squad."
Tiger Notes
Last Time Out
The Tigers lost to No. 61 Oklahoma last Monday (Feb. 13) at the Green Tennis Center. The Sooners started the match by winning the No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches to claim the doubles point. Oklahoma then won three singles matches to earn a 4-3 victory. One highlight for Mizzou was senior Hana Kraftova's victory over No. 73 Gabby Baker in straight sets 7-5, 6-4.
Kraftova is Leading the Tigers
Mizzou's No. 1 singles player, Hana Kraftova, is off to a great start this season, improving her spring record to 4-0 after defeating No. 73 Gabby Baker on Monday. In her four matches at the No. 1 spot, Kraftova has lost only one set. Kraftova will try to defeat another ranked opponent when she faces No. 36 Kim Hartmann of Nebraska on Saturday.
Kraftova's Season Results
Player Position Opponent Result
Hana Kraftova No. 1 Monika Lykawa (West Virginia) W 6-2, 6-3
No. 1 Caitlin O'Keefe (Ohio State) W 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
No. 1 Irina Kalashnikova (Drake) W 6-2, 6-0
No. 1 No. 73 Gabby Baker (Oklahoma) W 7-5, 6-4
Tiger Newcomers Making Impact
Mizzou's three newcomers are making a positive impact on the young season. Tiger freshman Val Dandik enters the weekend with a 1-2 singles record. Dandik's victory came at the No. 1 spot last Sunday against Northern Illinois. Filling in for a resting Hana Kraftova, Dandik defeated Northern Illinois' Doris Delgadillo 6-1, 6-2. She is also 1-1 in doubles action.
Kansas City, Mo. native Chrissy Svetlic is 2-2 in singles play after two matches apiece at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots. At No. 1 doubles, the duo of Svetlic and Kraftova is 2-2 on the season.
Junior Amanda Pratzel is 4-1 on the season in singles action, playing in the No. 3, No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6 positions. In doubles play, Pratzel is and undefeated 5-0. Pratzel joined fellow Tiger Erika Josbena to win three matches at the No. 2 spot and two matches at the No. 3 spot.
About the Huskers
The No. 36 Nebraska Cornhuskers come into Saturday's match with a 5-1 record. The Huskers are 0-1 in the Big 12, losing to No. 3 Texas 6-1 last Saturday. Nebraska bounced back to win their last match, defeating then-No. 57 Arkansas on Monday. The Tigers and Huskers have one common opponent so far this season, the Drake Bulldogs. Nebraska defeated Drake 5-2, while Mizzou won their match against the Bulldogs 6-1. The Huskers are led by No. 1 singles player Kim Hartmann.
Husker Freshman Kim Hartman
Nebraska's No. 36 freshman Kim Hartmann is 5-1 at the No. 1 singles spot this season. Her only loss came in Monday's match against Arkansas, when she was defeated by Aurelija Miseviciute 6-0, 6-2. One of Hartmann's biggest victories on the season came against Texas' Petra Dizdar 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) last Saturday.
Up Next for the Tigers
After Saturday's match, Mizzou will continue its home stand against Montana State on Friday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. The Tigers will then face Big Ten foe Minnesota at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. Both matches will be held at the Green Tennis Center in Columbia and are open to the public.