Sept. 11, 2008

Columbia, Mo. - Mizzou Tennis will host its first tournament of the fall season this weekend. The Mizzou Invitational will begin Friday morning (Sept. 12) at 10:30 a.m. at the Green Tennis Center in Columbia and continue through Sunday afternoon (Sept 14).

Four teams will participate in the three-day event with Missouri; Illinois State, Drake University, Saint Louis University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Play will be held indoors as well as outdoors, weather permitting.

The Tigers lose only one senior from last year's squad and will return six starters. As the lone senior, Jessica Giuggioli looks to lead the young Missouri line-up, as she comes off a junior campaign in which she recorded 13 wins in singles play, as well as 13 wins in doubles. Another key contributor for the Tigers will be sophomore Maureen Modesto. Modesto had a team-best 23 wins in singles play a season ago. New to the program is freshman Jamie Mera from Tampa, Fla. Coach Blake Starkey expects a high level of competition from his youngest starter. "She'll compete for the No. 1 spot all year," said Starkey of Mera.

Other returning starters for the Tigers are junior Sofia Ayala, junior Kaitlin Dunham and sophomores Kaitlyn Ritchie and Mallory Weber. Each letter-winner recorded at least 10 wins in singles and doubles competition last season.

Coach Starkey is eager to host the invitational and has made renovations to the outdoor courts in preparation. Along with flags representing each of the Big 12 schools, Starkey has laid down new stencils outlining the courts.

"It feels more like a collegiate stage," said Starkey. "The girls will enjoy playing here. It is a big transformation from last season."

Play will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday (Sept. 12). The day will feature two rounds of doubles action and one round of singles matches. On Saturday (Sept. 13) play is set to start at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting, and will include one round of singles followed by one round of doubles concluding with another round of singles. The final day, Sunday (Sept. 14), will begin at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting, and features one round of doubles followed by one round of singles.

## MIZZOU TENNIS ##