Feb. 26, 2009

Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri tennis team (4-3, 0-0 Big 12) will welcome the No. 75 Wisconsin Badgers (3-6, 0-0 Big Ten) to the Green Tennis Center in Columbia, Mo., Friday (Feb. 27) afternoon. The Tigers will then open Big 12 conference play on Sunday (March 1) as they take on the Oklahoma Sooners (3-3, 0-0 Big 12). MU vs. Wisconsin will start on Friday at 3:00 p.m. and MU vs. Oklahoma will start at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Coach Blake Starkey and the Tigers are looking forward to the weekend.  The Tigers have taken on the toughest pre-season schedule they have ever attempted, pairing up with five opponents in the national rankings.  Following their win over No. 66 SMU, the Tigers jumped into the rankings themselves at No. 75.  It was their first ranking appearance in two years.  While the Tigers have come up just short against their Big Ten opponents, they have competed very strong and taken all of them to the wire. The Tigers are playing well and looking forward to more strong competition this weekend.

"We know we're playing well," said MU freshman Jamie Mera.  "We've just played some very good teams, and we're right in there.  It is just a matter of locking up that forth point, and we can't wait to get out there again.  It's great when the fans are out and we're excited about the weekend."

Friday and Sunday's matches will be the third and fourth of a five-match home run for the Tigers inside the Green Tennis Center. Admission is free, and fans are welcome to attend.