April 28, 2010
2010 Big 12 Tournament Official Site
2010 Big 12 Tournament Bracket 
Austin, Texas - The 11th seeded University of Missouri women's tennis team (6-16, 1-10 Big 12) will get another shot at the sixth seeded Texas Tech (10-11, 5-6 Big 12) Thursday in the first round of the Big 12 Championship at the Penick-Allison Tennis Center in Austin, Tex. The Tigers are coming off of two home losses to end the regular season, dropping a heartbreaker to Texas A&M on April 25, 4-3. The Tigers dropped a 5-2 decision to the Red Raiders on April 18 at the McLeod Tennis Center, 5-2.
2010 Big 12 Championships
Texas' Penick-Allison Tennis Center will host the Big 12 Championships April 29-May 2 for the third time in conference history. Baylor has earned the No. 1 seed in the tournaments, after finishing the conference season 11-0. The Lady Bears have captured the past four postseason conference titles (2006-09). Host Texas, Nebraska, and Texas A&M earned the second through fourth seeds and a first round bye, respectively. The winner of Thursday's match between the Tigers and Red Raiders will move on to the quarterfinals to face No. 36 ranked and third seeded, Nebraska.
Last Time Out Against The Lady Raiders
The Tigers gained an early lead, taking the doubles point, and winning two of three doubles matches. At No. 1 doubles, juniors Mallory Weber and Kaitlyn Ritchie took an 8-5 win over Tech's Kelsy Garland and Natalie Leitch. With the win, Weber and Ritchie improved to 5-4 in conference at No. 1 doubles. Sophomore Jamie Mera and senior Sofia Ayala dropped the match at No. 2 doubles, leaving the No. 3 teams on the court to play for the point. Senior Kristen Bleakley and freshman Andrea Lewis prevailed, taking a 9-7 win over Caroline Starck and Stefanie Peana. After earning the doubles point, Missouri took a turn as they entered singles play, winning just one of six matches. Weber earned Missouri's only point in singles with a win over Leitch, 6-3, 6-3.
Missouri vs. Texas Tech
April 18, 2010
McLeod Tennis Center
Texas Tech 5, Missouri 2
Singles competition
1. Sandra Dynka (TT) def. Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZZOU) 6-3, 6-4
2. Mallory Weber (MIZZOU) def. Natalie Leitch (TT) 6-3, 6-2
3. Kelsy Garland (TT) def. Jamie Mera (MIZZOU) 7-6 (7-0), 6-1
4. Elizabeth Ullathorne (TT) def. Maria Christensen (MIZZOU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Caroline Starck (TT) def. Andrea Lewis (MIZZOU) 6-1, 0-6, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Lorena Aviles (TT) def. Kristen Bleakley (MIZZOU) 6-2, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Mallory Weber/Kaitlyn Ritchie (MIZZOU) def. Kelsy Garland/Natalie Leitch (TT) 8-5
2. Elizabeth Ullathorne/Sandra Dynka (TT) def. Jamie Mera/Sofia Ayala (MIZZOU) 8-4
3. Andrea Lewis/Kristen Bleakley (MIZZOU) def. Caroline Starck/Stefanie Peana (TT) 9-7
Match Notes: Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (4,3,2,6,1,5)
50 Wins in Sight
Junior Kaitlyn Ritchie earned her 49th career win on April 23rd, besting No. 23 ranked Aeriel Ellis of Texas. With the win, Ritchie stands one win away from her 50th singles career win. With 49 tabbed victories, Ritchie moves into the No. 13 position on Missouri's career singles victories list.
Tigers Served 12th Match Against Top-75 Team
Mizzou's match against the Lady Raiders on Thursday will mark the 12th time this season the Tigers will face a top-75 team. Texas Tech was not ranked in the schools' first meeting, but rounded out the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings at No. 75 this week. Mizzou is 0-11 in their first eleven meetings against ranked teams this season, after falling to then No. 36 ranked Texas Tech on April 25.
Freshmen Keeping Focused
Missouri's two freshmen, Andrea Lewis, and Maria Christensen have combined for 17 wins this spring. Christensen got the season started, claiming five consecutive victories at No. 6 singles in her stateside debut. Lewis became quickly adjusted and cruised to three straight victories in conference at No. 6 singles, besting Oklahoma State, Colorado, and Kansas. After a rocky conference season, Christensen garnered her first Big 12 win, taking a three-setter over Texas A&M's Lauren Santacroce on April 25.
On The Road Again....
With 22 spring contests, the Tigers competed in twelve total matches at home and ten on the road. Since the conference season began on March 12, the Tigers have become very familiar with traveling, competing in seven of their ten total road matches during conference play.
Starkey Honored by USPTA
This spring, Tiger head coach Blake Starkey was honored as the 2009 USTA Missouri Valley Coach of the Year. Through the USPTA, Coach Starkey is a USPTA P-1 instructor. He recently participated in a USTA High Performance program in Berkley, Calif., and has been selected for the upcoming High Performance program in Florida.