March 21, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou tennis team's dual match at No. 7 Texas A&M has been moved up one day to Saturday, March 22 at Noon at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center in College Station, Texas. Originally scheduled for Sunday, March 23, that match was moved to Saturday due to forecasted inclement weather on Sunday.

Following Saturday's match against the Aggies, the Tigers will remain in Texas for a non-conference contest against No. 23 Rice on Tuesday, March 25 in Houston.

The Tigers (5-13 overall, 0-6 SEC) are coming off narrow 4-3 defeats to Arkansas and Drake on Sunday. Mizzou took the doubles point but the Razorbacks won the final four singles matches to earn the 4-3 road win. Against Drake, Missouri held a 3-2 advantage but the Bulldogs notched wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to seal their victory.

Sophomore Madison Rhyner went 2-0 in her two matches on Sunday, while seniors Cierra Gaytan-Leach and Rachel Stuhlmann and sophomore Kelli Hine all notched one win on the day. Stuhlmann's victory against the Razorbacks was her team leading third in Southeastern Conference competition.

The Aggies boast a 12-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference action, including wins over six top-25 teams. No. 1 singles player Cristina Stancu, ranked 14th nationally, paces the Aggies with a 9-3 record in dual matches and a 16-4 mark in all matches against ranked opponents. Two other Texas A&M players sit in the ITA singles rankings: Saska Gavrilovska at No. 56 and Anna Mamalat at No. 100.

In doubles, the pair of Stancu and Stefania Hristov rank 23rd nationally, while Gavrilovska and Paula Deheza clock in at No. 60.

Following the two-match road swing in Texas, the Tigers travel to face Tennessee and Georgia next weekend.