Feb. 19, 2006

Columbia, Mo. -

The University of Missouri women's tennis team fell to No. 36 Nebraska 5-2 on Saturday at the Green Tennis Center.

The match marked the second Big 12 contest of the season for the Tigers, who fell to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12. Mizzou's first two conference matches have been against ranked opponents, then-No. 61 Oklahoma and Saturday vs. No. 36 Nebraska.

 

"This is the Big 12, and we are going up against some monster teams," head coach Blake Starkey said. "A few years ago we were one of those monster teams. You are either the favorite or the challenger, right now we are in the challenger role, and I kind of like that role."

Mizzou got off to a good start, winning the No. 1 doubles match. The duo of Hana Kraftova and Chrissy Svetlic defeated Nebraska's Imke Reimers and Ewelina Skaza 8-3. The Tigers also picked up wins at the No. 3 and No. 6 singles spots. Tiger junior Yelena Olshanskaya won her match in three sets, defeating Nebraska's Vanessa Heute 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). At No. 6 singles, Mizzou Junior Amanda Pratzel defeated Ewelina Skaza 6-4, 6-4.

At No. 1 singles, Tiger senior Hana Kraftova lost a tough match to No. 36 Kim Hartmann. Hartmann defeated Kraftova 6-4, 6-2, handing Kraftova her first loss in singles action this spring. At No. 2 singles, Mizzou freshman Val Dandik lost to Nebraska's Imke Reimers 6-2, 6-2. Tiger Erika Josbena was defeated by Nebraska's Milena Schulz-Gartner 6-4, 6-2 at No. 4 singles and Husker senior Pamela Castillejos defeated Mizzou's Chrissy Svetlic 6-3, 7-5 at No. 5 singles.

The Tigers will take a break from Big 12 play when they host Montana State and Minnesota next weekend. Mizzou hosts Montana State on Feb. 24 at 3 p.m., before hosting the Gophers on Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. All Tiger home matches are held at the Green Tennis Center and are open to the public.

Final Score: Nebraska 5 Missouri 2
 
Singles
1. Kim Hartmann (NU) def. Hana Kraftova (MU) 6-4, 6-2
2. Imke Reimers (NU) def. Val Dandik (MU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Yelena Olshanskaya (MU) def. Vanessa Heute (NU) 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1)
4. Milena Schulz-Gardner (NU) def. Erika Josbena (MU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Pamela Castillejos (NU) def. Chrissy Svetlic (MU) 6-3, 7-5
6. Amanda Pratzel (MU) def. Ewelina Skaza (NU) 6-4, 6-4
 
Doubles
1. Hana Kraftova/Chrissy Svetlic (MU) def. Imke Reimers/Ewelina Skaza (NU) 8-3
2. Milena Schulz-Gardner/Kim Hartmann (NU) def. Yelena Olshanskaya/Val Dandik (MU) 8-4
2. Pamela Castillejos/Ellinor Zugner (NU) def. Amanda Pratzel/Erika Josbena (MU) 8-6