April 27, 2010

Columbia, Mo. - Four members of Missouri's women's tennis team received Academic All-Big 12 accolades as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. Two Tigers, sophomore Jamie Mera (Tampa, Fla.) and junior Mallory Weber (Belleville, Ill.) received first-team honors, while junior Kaitlyn Ritchie (Bartlesville, Okla.) and senior Kristen Bleakley (Kansas City, Mo.) were named to the second team.

Mera, a first-time All-Big 12 honor recipient, was one of just two women's tennis players named to the first team with a 4.0 grade-point average (GPA).

Nominated by each institution's director of student-athlete support services and media relations offices, the tennis academic all-league squad consisted of 32 first team members combined with 12 on the second team. First team members have recorded a 3.20 or better GPA, while the second team are those with a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or in the two previous semesters and have participated in 60 percent of their team's scheduled contests. Freshman and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The complete list of tennis Academic All-Big 12 recipients can be viewed at Big12sports.com.