April 11, 2009
Columbia, Mo. – The 68th-ranked Missouri tennis team (7-10, 3-6 Big 12) came up just shy in doubles competition falling to the Colorado Buffaloes (10-7, 6-2 Big 12), 4-3, on Saturday afternoon. Though the young Tiger squad won singles matches at No. 4 though No. 6, the Buffs took the top three singles matches to clinch the team win. Doubles competition began outside at the Green Tennis Center at noon before the ladies headed indoors to conclude with singles play.
In doubles play Missouri's Sofia Ayala showed off her dominant net-play as she and partner Danielle Day took down Michala Jensen and Abbie Probert, 8-6. Ayala and Day are now 6-3 against conference opponents, sporting a 12-5 overall record this spring. After the Tiger win the doubles point was tied and came down to the No. 2 match between Jessica Giuggioli, Kaitlyn Ritchie and Colorado's Franziska Jendrian and Ania Anuszkiewicz. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-4 lead before the Buffaloes forced a tie-breaker and went on to take the win and doubles point, 9-8 (5).
“The doubles point was really the difference,” said assistant coach Helena Besovic. “We were up 7-4, serving. We really should have had it. We needed to close it, and we didn't.”
Freshman Jamie Mera made her No. 1 debut playing against Colorado's Camila Belassi. After Mera took the first set 6-2, Belassi forced a second set with a 6-2 win. In the third set the ladies went back and forth before Belassi sealed the victory with a 6-4 win.
In the No. 4 spot Day earned her 13th win since coming to Mizzou, fourth in Big 12 play. Day earned the win in three sets over Jendrian. After Ritchie took a 6-3 first-set victory, Jenson retired to give Ritchie her 11th win of the season, third against conference opponents. Ayala also took her opponent into a tie-breaking set and went on to win the tie-breaker over Anuszkiewicz, 10-3.
“We've had several 4-3 losses that have barely gotten away from us,” said head coach Blake Starkey. “We've got a lot of very good, young talent and we're fortunate to have the best assistant coach we've ever had. We're looking forward to next weekend and another great opportunity against conference competition.”
The Tigers will be back in action next weekend when they play host to the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday (April 17) and the Iowa State Cyclones on Sunday (April 19). Matches will take place at the Green Tennis Center. On Friday play begins at 5:00 p.m., Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Final Team Score: Colorado 4, Missouri 3
Complete Doubles Results
No. 1 Belassi/Esposito (CU) def. Weber/Mera (MIZ) 8-3
No. 2 Jendrian/Anuszkiewicz (CU) def. Giuggioli/Ritchie (MIZ) 9-8 (5)
No. 3 Ayala/Day (MIZ) def. Jensen/Probert (CU) 8-6
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2
Complete Singles Results
No. 1 Camila Belassi (CU) def. Jamie Mera (MIZ) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
No. 2 Melisa Esposito (CU) def. Jessica Giuggioli (MIZ) 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 Abbie Probert (CU) def. Mallory Weber (MIZ) 6-2, 7-5
No. 4 Danielle Day (MIZ) def. Franziska Jendrian (CU) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
No. 5 Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZ) def. Michala Jensen (CU) 6-3, 0-0 (ret.)
No. 6 Sofia Ayala (MIZ) def. Ania Anuszkiewicz (CU) 0-6, 6-4 (10-3)
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1, 4, 5, 6