April 4, 2009

College Station, Texas – The 62nd-ranked women's tennis team (7-8, 3-4 Big 12) suffered it's fourth loss in Big 12 play this spring after traveling to Collge Station, Texas to face the Texas A&M Aggies (10-6, 6-1 Big 12). Sofia Ayala is on a five-game winning streak against conference competition at the No. 6 position for Missouri and earned the only Tiger win in singles on Saturday. Play began at noon in College Station.

The doubles point came down to the No. 1 spot where Mallory Weber and Jamie Mera faced Janelle Cuthbertson and Christi Liles of Texas A&M. The Tigers tied it up at 6-6 but the Aggies broke serve and went on to take the match, 8-6, and the doubles point.

In singles Ayala earned the only Mizzou win in singles as she took down Sheri Oliver in a tie-breaking set, 5-7, 6-2, 1-0, (9). The win marked Ayala's fifth of the spring season in Big 12 play. Ayala remains undefeated against conference competition.

"They are a great program. They had a good crowd and played well today," said coach Blake Starkey. "We'll have to play at another level tomorrow against Texas if we want to win."

The Tigers will continue Big 12 play against Texas in Austin tomorrow, Sunday, March 5, play beginning at noon.

Final Team Score: Texas A&M 6, Missouri 1

Complete Doubles Results
No. 1 Cuthbertson/Liles (A&M) def. Mera/Weber (MU), 8-6
No. 2 Frank/Stephanie Davidson (A&M) def. Giuggioli/Ritchie(MU), 8-4
No. 3 Ayala/Day (MU) def. Olivier/Potgieter (A&M), 8-6

Complete Singles Results
No. 1 Elzé Potgieter (A&M) def. Jessica Giuggioli (MU), 6-1, 7-5
No. 2 (112) Morgan Frank (A&M) def. Jamie Mera (MU), 6-0, 6-3
No. 3 Christi Liles (A&M) def. Mallory Weber (MU), 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 Janelle Cuthbertson (A&M) def. Danielle Day (MU), 6-0, 6-2
No. 5 Lauren Santacroce (A&M) def. Kaitlyn Ritchie (MU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-2
No. 6 Sofia Ayala (MU) def. Sheri Olivier (A&M), 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (9)