Feb. 4, 2006

Columbus, Ohio - The University of Missouri Women's Tennis team earned a 6-1 victory in their opening match of the Spring season Saturday, defeating the West Virginia Lady Mountaineers at the Ohio State Invitational.

The Ohio State Invitational is the Tigers first event of the Spring and features two quality opponents. After defeating Big East foe West Virginia today, the Tigers will face host Ohio State on Sunday. The Invitational is held at the Jesse Owens West Recreation Center in Columbus, Ohio, and it serves as a good start for the eager Tigers. Coach Blake Starkey said, "We've been hitting against each other so much, I think we're just excited to get out there and play people other than us."

Senior Hana Kraftova led the Tigers with a win at the No. 1 singles position. Kraftova defeated West Virginia's Monika Lykawa 6-2, 6-3. Mizzou sophomore Lubica Nadasska won her match at No. 2 singles in straight sets, defeating Stasha Percival 6-1, 7-6 (3). In other singles action, Tigers Yelena Olshanskaya, Erika Josbena, and Amanda Pratzel also won their matches in consecutive sets. The Tigers doubles teams of Kraftova/Svetlic, Pratzel/Josbena, and Olshanskaya/Johns were each victorious earning the the doubles point for the match.

"As nice as the girls played, we've got to put this behind us and get ready to go again against a very strong Ohio State team tomorrow," Starkey said.

The lone setback for Missouri came at No. 6 singles, where West Virginia's Asha Constantine defeated Chrissy Svetlic, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8.

The Tigers match vs. Ohio State will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday After the match, Missouri returns to Columbia to prepare for the home-opener against Drake on Feb. 11 at 1:00 p.m.

Missouri vs. West Virginia Final Results

Doubles: Hana Kraftova/Chrissy Svetlic (MU) def. Stasha Percival/Rhanie Theis (WVU) 8-4 Amanda Pratzel/Erika Josbena (MU) def. Colleen Speaker/Viv Koontz (WVU) 8-6 Yelena Olshanskaya/Stephanie Johns (MU) def. Asha Constantine/Monica Lykawa (WVU) 8-3

Singles: Hana Kraftova (MU) def. Monika Lykawa (WVU) 6-2, 6-3 Lubica Nadasska (MU) def. Stasha Percival (WVU) 6-1, 7-6 (3) Yelena Olshanskaya (MU) def. Colleen Speaker (WVU) 6-0, 6-1 Erika Josbena (MU) def. Rhanie Theis (WVU) 6-1, 6-1 Amanda Pratzel (MU) def. Kelly Walsh (WVU) 6-1, 6-3 Asha Constantine (WVU) def. Chrissy Svetlic 6-4, 5-7, 10-8