April 25, 2006

Dallas, Texas - Five University of Missouri women's tennis players have been named to the 2006 Academic All-Big 12 Tennis Team. Tiger seniors Hana Kraftova and Kelly Crull, juniors Erika Josbena and Yelena Olshanskaya, and sophomore Lubica Nadasska were named to the first team. First team student-athletes maintained a 3.20 or better GPA.

With the selection, Kraftova earned her third Academic All-Big 12 award. Kraftova, a senior from Pilsen, Czech Republic, is majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Missouri. Crull, a senior from Noblesville, Ind. is majoring in Broadcast Journalism and has been used as a reserve this season.

Josbena, a junior from Rose Valley, Pa., earned her second Academic All-Big 12 award. She is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies at Missouri. Olshanskaya also earned her second academic award. She is a junior from Los Angeles, Calif. majoring in Elementary Education.

Nadasska earned her first Academic All-Big 12 award. The sophomore from Bratislava, Slovakia is majoring in Political Science.

To qualify for Academic All-Big 12 honors, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 60 percent of her team's scheduled contests. First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA, and the second team are those who have a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible. The teams are nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and the media relations offices.

The Tigers will return to action on Thursday when they face No. 51 Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Women's Tennis Championship.