Feb. 3, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri tennis team begins the 2006 season this weekend at the Ohio State Invitational with matches against West Virginia and Ohio State. The Tigers will compete against West Virginia on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. and Ohio State on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. Missouri Coach Blake Starkey looks for the Tigers to give it their all this weekend as they attempt to continue their success from the fall season.

"The thing I want to see our team do the most is fight extremely hard, and more than anything else, do whatever it takes to put us in a position where winning and being beaten kind of hangs in the balance," head coach Blake Starkey said. "We just need to do whatever it takes to put us in position (to win)."

The Tigers will look to continue their momentum from the fall season based on strong performances at the Mizzou Three Way Tennis Tournament, the Mizzou Mock Duals, and the Wilson ITA Central Regional. The doubles team of Yelena Olshanskaya and Erika Josbena finished third in the Mizzou Three Way Tournament. They also defeated Colorado's Martina Sedevic and Geisy Torres in the round of 64 at the Wilson ITA Central Regional. Senior Hana Kraftova and Sophomore Lubica Nadasska won the Mizzou Three Way Tournament defeating three Illinois State teams.

In singles play, Lubica Nadasska finished the Mizzou Three Way Tennis Tournament with a 3-0 record, while freshman Stephanie Johns had an impressive victory over Big 12 opponent Fernanda DeValle of Kansas State in the first round of the Wilson ITA Central Regional. In the Mizzou Three Way, sophomore Charlotte Bellis defeated St. Louis University's Katlin Bokulic 6-1, 6-1.

After this weekend's matches, the Tigers return to Columbia to open the home season Feb. 11 against the Drake Bulldogs. The match begins an eight-match home stand that includes contests against No. 8 Baylor on March 11. All home matches are held at the Green Tennis Center and are open to the public.

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