University of Missouri
Drake
Mizzou Downs Drake, 5-2
2/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Tennis
Feb. 23, 2007
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's tennis team improved to 3-3 on the spring by defeating the Drake Bulldogs for the 11th time 14 matches. Mizzou won all three doubles matches and four of the six singles matches to earn the victory.
Head Coach Blake Starkey commented on beating his former player and assistant coach, Urska Juric, now the head coach at Drake.
"It's a weird match because its (Urska), she's one of my friends, but we're going to try to beat her and she's going to try to beat us. We were fortunate we got it."
"We've played some really good teams, and we'll continue to play some good teams, I think a win is a win, and we needed it. We played pretty well."
The day started out on a positive note with the Tigers winning all three doubles matches. The No. 1 duo of Katelyn McKenzie and Raquel Wagner won at No. 1 behind strong serves and consistent volleys. They defeated Veronika Leszayova and Sarah Plowman, 8-3.
At No. 2, Amanda Pratzel and Erika Josbena downed Irina Kalashnikova and Eve Rusdianto, 8-2. At No.3, Chrissy Svetlic and Kaitlin Dunham defeated Allison Wilkie and Kari Sloboth, 8-4.
The singles action was highlighted by a great two set victory by Pratzel at No. 2. The Mizzou senior was down in the first set, 4-5, and she won the next two games to lead 6-5. Kalashnikova tied the set at 6-6. Pratzel was up 3-2 in the tiebreak, when Kalashnikova double faulted twice to make it 5-2. Kalashnikova won next two points to make it 5-4, but when she got the serve back; she double faulted again and lost the set on the next point. Pratzel then went on to win the second set, 6-3.
Pratzel played most of the match on the baseline, using forehands and carefully placed slices to outfight Kalashnikova.
At No. 4, Svetlic earned an impressive straight set victory over Kari Sloboth. After winning the first set, 6-0, Svetlic put her away with a 6-2 second set to seal the victory.
Dunham won at No. 5 singles, improving her spring record to a team-best 5-1. She took care of Drake's Sarah Plowman, 6-0, 6-2. At No. 6, McKenzie defeated Wilkie, 6-1, 6
The Tigers lost their matches at No. 1 and No. 3, as Josbena fell to Leszayova at No. 1 and Wagner lost to Rusdianto at No. 3.
Mizzou will continue its home stand Sunday morning against Montana. The earliest match of the year for the Tigers will begin at 9 a.m. Montana and Drake will play each other Saturday at 1 p.m. Both matches are free and open to the public.
Results
Mizzou 5 Drake 2
Friday Feb. 23, 2007
Green Tennis Center
Columbia, Mo.
Indoor Courts
Doubles.
1. Raquel Wagner/Katelyn McKenzie (MU) def. Veronika Leszayova/Sarah Plowman (Drake) 8-3
2. Erika Josbena/Amanda Pratzel (MU) def. Irina Kalashnikova/ Eve Rusdianto (Drake) 8-2
3. Chrissy Svetlic/Kaitlin Dunham (MU) def. Allison Wilkie/Kari Sloboth (Drake) 8-4
Singles
1. Veronika Leszayova (Drake) def. Erika Josbena (MU), 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
2. Amanda Pratzel (MU) Irina Kalashnikova (Drake) 7-6 (4), 6-3
3. Eve Rusdianto (Drake) def. Raquel Wagner (MU) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
4. Chrissy Svetlic (MU) def. Kari Sloboth (Drake) 6-0, 6-2
5. Kaitlin Dunham (MU) def. Sarah Plowman (Drake) 6-0, 6-2
6. Katelyn McKenzie (MU) def. Allison Wilkie (Drake) 6-1, 6-0
Players Mentioned
