Feb. 5, 2006
Columbus, Ohio - The University of Missouri Women's Tennis team was defeated 6-1 by the Ohio State Buckeyes in the final match of the Ohio State Invitational on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio.
After the match, Tiger Coach Blake Starkey gave credit to the Buckeyes; "We faught hard, but Ohio State played very well today."
The loss evens the Tigers record at 1-1. Sunday's match concluded the Ohio State Invitational, a three-team event that featured host Ohio State from the Big Ten and Saturday's opponent for the Tigers, West Virginia. The Ohio State Buckeyes finished the Invitational with a 2-0 record, and West Virginia was winless in their two matches.
The Tigers point in Sunday's match came via a great effort of senior Hana Kraftova. Kraftova defeated Ohio State's Caitlin O'Keefe 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to improve her record to 2-0 at the No. 1 singles position this season.
Also giving a good effort for the Tigers, Amanda Pratzel lost to Ohio State's Angela DiPastina in three sets 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 at the No. 4 singles position. Taking her match into three sets, Tiger Chrissy Svetlic was defeated by Ciara Finucane 1-6, 7-6 (4-0), 1-0 (10-7) in the No. 5 singles match.
Mizzou sophmore Yelena Olshanskaya stepped into the No. 2 singles position and was defeated by Sonia Ruzimovsky 6-0, 6-1. And at the No. 3 singles position, Tiger Erika Josbena lost to Ohio State's Julie Blackmore 6-1, 6-4. Missouri's Stephanie Johns lost in the No. 6 singles match 6-3, 6-0 to Kristin Messmer.
In doubles action, Tiger duos of Kraftova/Svetlic, Johns/Olshanskaya, and Pratzel/Josbena lost three close matches.
The Tigers look to put the Sunday's loss behind them as they prepare for three home matches this weekend.
Missouri will face Missouri Valley foe Drake on Saturday (Feb. 11) at 1 p.m and Mid-American Conference challenger Northern Illinois on Sunday at 1 p.m. On Monday, Mizzou opens Big 12 play in Columbia against Oklahoma at 3 p.m. All three home matches are held at the Green Tennis Center and are open to the public.
Tennis Match Results Missouri vs Ohio State
Final Score: Ohio State 6, Missouri 1
Singles competition 1. Hana Kraftova (MIZZ) def. Caitlin O'Keefe (OSU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 2. Sonia Ruzimovsky (OSU) def. Yelena Olshanskaya (MIZZ) 6-0, 6-1 3. Julie Blackmore (OSU) def. Erika Josbena (MIZZ) 6-1, 6-4 4. Angela DiPastina (OSU) def. Amanda Pratzel (MIZZ) 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 5. Ciara Finucane (OSU) def. Chrissy Svetlic (MIZZ) 1-6, 7-6 (4-0), 1-0 (10-7) 6. Kristin Messmer (OSU) def. Stephanie Johns (MIZZ) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition 1. Caitlin O'Keefe/Julie Blackmore (OSU) def. Hana Kraftova/Chrissy Svetlic">Chrissy Svetlic (MIZZ) 8-4 2. Sonia Ruzimovsky/Angela DiPastina (OSU) def. Stephanie Johns/Yelena Olshanskaya">Yelena Olshanskaya (MIZZ) 9-7 3. Ciara Finucane/Kristin Messmer (OSU) def. Amanda Pratzel/Erika Josbena (MIZZ) 9-8 (3-0)
Match Notes: Updated Records: Missouri 1-1; Ohio State 3-1 Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,2,3,4,5,6)