April 2, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's tennis team was defeated by No. 65 Oklahoma State 5-2 Sunday in Columbia.

WIth the loss, the Tigers fall to 6-7 overall and 0-6 in the Big 12. The Cowgirls move to 7-7 and 3-3 in the conference.

At the No. 1 singles spot, Tiger junior Yelena Olshanskaya defeated Iryna Tkachenko in three sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Missouri Head Coach Blake Starkey thought the win was very important for Olshanskaya.

"This was a breakthrough match, for her. I am very proud of what she did today."

Also winning for the Tigers, Amanda Pratzel defeated Zuzanna Osinska also in three sets, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. The win improves Pratzel's singles record to 10-3. In doubles action, Pratzel teamed up with Erika Josbena to defeat Tkachenko and Lauren Simmons 8-3.

After winning her first set, Missouri's Lubica Nadasska dropped the next two to lose to Lauren Simmons 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2 singles. At the No. 3 spot, Tiger freshman Val Dandik fell to OSU's Zana Masnic 6-3, 6-2.

At No. 4 singles, Missouri junior Erika Josbena was defeated by Marta Tsivka 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6). The marathon match lasted two hours and 43 minutes. And at No. 6 singles, Tiger sophomore Chrissy Svetlic fell to Jennifer Poskitt 6-2, 7-5.

Despite winning the No. 2 doubles match, the Tigers lost the doubles point after falling in the No. 1 and No. 3 matches. At No. 1, the Oklahoma State duo of Masnic and Yawna Allen defeated Olshanskaya and Pratzel 8-4. And at No. 3, the Missouri duo of Dandik and Nadasska fell to OSU's Tsivka and Osinska 8-6.

The Tigers return to action next weekend when they travel to the state of Kansas for three matches. Missouri will face Wichita State on Friday, No. 62 Kansas on Saturday, and No. 58 Kansas State on Sunday.

Results

No. 65 Oklahoma State 5 Missouri 2 Sunday April 2, 2006 Green Tennis Center, Columbia Missouri Indoor Courts

Singles 1. Yelena Olshanskaya (MU) def. Iryna Tkachenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 2. Lauren Simmons (OSU) def. Lubica Nadasska 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 3. Zana Masnic (OSU) def. Val Dandik 6-3, 6-2 4. Marta Tsivka (OSU) def. Erika Josbena 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) 5. Amanda Pratzel (MU) def. Zuzanna Osinska 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 6. Jennifer Poskitt (OSU) def. Chrissy Svetlic 6-2, 7-5

Doubles 1. Zana Masnic/Yawna Allen (OSU) def. Yelena Olshanskaya/Chrissy Svetlic 8-4 2. Erika Josbena/Amanda Pratzel (MU) def. Iryna Tkachenko/Lauren Simmons 8-3 3. Marta Tsivka/Zuzanna Osinska (OSU) def. Val Dandik/Lubica Nadasska 8-6