Sept. 17, 2006

Minneapolis, Minn. - For final brackets, please visit gophersports.com

The University of Missouri women's tennis team completed an exciting final day of action at the Gopher Invitational Sunday. The Mizzou duo of Amanda Pratzel and Erika Josbena won their second doubles championship in as many tries, improving their fall record to a perfect 8-0. In singles action, Raquel Wagner won the Minnesota Singles Flight Championship.

Tiger Head Coach Blake Starkey is satisfied with the Tigers' success so far this fall.

"It's early but I'm pleased with my team. They're working hard."

The big story of the weekend was the performance of Missouri's No. 1 doubles team. Sunday, the duo of Pratzel and Josbena defeated Iowa's Beryy and Klockenga, 8-3, in the Championship match of the North bracket, the tournament's top draw. The team is now 8-0 in the fall. Last weekend, they won the Billiken Fall Classic Doubles Championship.

Over their eight-match winning streak, their most impressive victory came against the 50th-ranked Iowa duo of Hillary Mintz and Jacqueline Lee in the second round of the Gopher Invitational Saturday. The Tiger duo had no problems eliminating the ranked team, winning 8-2.

Coach Starkey is excited about the team's hot start.

"They're playing good doubles right now. They understand what they're doing."

In the championship match of the Minnesota Singles Flight, Wagner defeated Iowa's Kelcie Klockenga, 6-2, 3-6, (10-6). Wagner improved her fall singles record to 5-1 after two tournaments.

In other action in the North Doubles Flight, the Tiger duo of Kaitlin Dunham and Chrissy Svetlic fell to Boston University's Lefkowitz and Katims, 8-6.

The Missouri duo of Katelyn McKenzie and Wagner won the Consolation Championship of the Star Doubles Flight. They defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay's Grimando and Harding, 8-1.

In the consolation bracket of the Minnesota Flight, McKenzie defeated Boston University's Katie Draganova, 6-4, 6-4 to earn the Consolation Championship.

In the Gold Singles Flight, Chrissy Svetlic lost to Boston University's Cori Lefkowitz in the third place match, 2-6, 6-3, (10-6). In the consolation bracket, Charlotte Bellis defeated Air Force's Lauren Wilson, 7-5, 6-3.

The Tigers will continue their fall season Sept. 29 when they travel to Manhattan, Kan. to compete in the K-State Mock Duals.