March 12, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. -The University of Missouri women's tennis (5-4, 1-0 Big 12) team host the Oklahoma State Cowgirls (6-3, 0-0 Big 12) Friday (March 13) evening at 5:00 p.m. at the Green Tennis Center. Oklahoma State marks the second Big 12 match of the season for the Tigers. The Cowgirls have been ranked as high as No. 65 this season.

The Tigers enter Friday's match after earning their highest national ranking in three years. The Tigers are ranked No. 66 as a team in the most recent ITA top 75, released on Tuesday (March 10). The Tigers earned their ranking after a solid preseason in which six of their first nine opponents were nationally ranked. Many of the Tigers' preseason opponents were ranked Big 10 schools. In their most recent match the Tigers upset then No. 64 Oklahoma on March 1.

"The girls have really enjoyed a great home crowd so far this season," head coach Blake Starkey said. "This team fights hard and puts on a great show. People are starting to figure out this is exciting to watch and lots of fun, and we just hope to keep it going. The girls really feed off the crowd's energy, and love when people come out. Oklahoma State is a very talented squad, and we have a lot of respect for them. We have a lot to prove as they beat us last year, so we need to be ready to play."

Following the doubles point, pizza and soda will be served to the first 50 fans in attendance to Friday night's match.