Sept. 14, 2006

Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's tennis team continues its fall season this weekend at the Gopher Invitational in Minneapolis, Minn. The event, hosted by the University of Minnesota, begins Friday, Sept. 15 and runs until Sept. 17.

The Tigers join Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Air Force, Boston University, Gonzaga, Wichita State and Wisconsin-Green Bay at the event that includes four singles and two doubles draws.

Missouri Head Coach Blake Starkey looks at the tournament as an opportunity to measure his team's progress.

"Its just about seeing how our team is playing. They are all still getting to know each other."

The Tigers are started the fall season on a good note in St. Louis last weekend. At the Billiken Fall Classic, the Missouri duo of Erika Josbena and Amanda Pratzel won the doubles tournament, while Pratzel advanced to the final match of the A Draw. Tiger junior Chrissy Svetlic won the singles B Draw championship.

After the Gopher Invitational, the Tigers will compete in the Kansas State Mock Duals, which begin Friday, Sept. 29 in Manhattan, Kan.