Sept. 24, 2010

Columbia, Mo. -

Mizzou Tennis opened its fall season in dominating fashion as the Tigers won six of seven singles matches and all seven of its doubles contests to fuel an outstanding opening day of action at the 2010 University of Northern Iowa Invitational.

Seniors Mallory Weber and Kaitlyn Ritchie are in the quarterfinals of the Platinum Flight as Ritchie topped Martina Schnapp of Northern Illinois 6-2, 7-5. Weber advanced to the quarters courtesy of an opening round bye and will face Northern Iowa's Laia Gonzalez on Saturday. Ritchie will meet Iowa's Lynn Poggensee on Saturday as well.

In the Gold Flight, freshman Rachel Stuhlmann knocked off Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Sammi Schoen 6-4, 6-1 to continue the MU dominance, while Maria Christensen defeated Milwaukee's Kelly Fritz (6-0, 6-0) and Mahdi Besovic topped North Dakota's Hallie Welk 6-3, 6-1 in the Silver Flight.

Newcomer Annemijn Koenen defeated Northern Illinois' Rebecca Hansmann 6-0, 6-0 in the Bronze Flight, while senior Maureen Modesto bested Drake's Earlynn Lauer 6-1, 6-2.

The Tigers were undefeated in doubles play as well with the tandem of Jamie Mera and Stuhlmann advancing to the semifinals courtesy of a pair of wins. Ritchie and Weber paired together and enjoyed the same success and both Tiger squads could square off in the finals tomorrow with one more win.

In the Gold Doubles, Koenen and Modesto won a pair of contests to reach the semi's, while Besovic and Christensen earned a first round bye and later dropped a North Dakota tandem to also reach the final four.

Action at the Northern Iowa Invitational continues on Saturday afternoon in Waterloo, Iowa.

Platinum Flight Singles

Mallory Weber received a bye

Kaitlyn Ritchie wins vs. Martina Schnapp, Northern Illinois                                  W, 6-2, 7-5

Gold Flight Singles

Haley Dekkinga, Northern Illinois wins vs. Jamie Mera                                         L, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6)

Rachel Stuhlmann wins vs. Sammi Schoen, Wisconsin-Milwaukee                     W, 6-4, 6-1

Silver Flight Singles

Maria Christensen wins vs. Kelly Fritz, Wisconsin-Milwaukee                             W, 6-0, 6-1

Mahdi Besovic wins vs. Hallie Welk, North Dakota                                                W, 6-3, 6-1

Bronze Flight Singles

Annemijn Koenen wins vs. Rebecca Hansmann, Northern Illinois                      W, 6-0, 6-0

Maureen Modesto wins vs. Earlynn Lauer, Drake                                                 W 6-1, 6-2

Platinum Flight Doubles

Mera / Stuhlmann wins vs. Aragon / Labarte, Drake                                             W, 8-2

Mera / Stuhlmann wins vs. Soule / Fritz, Wisconsin-Milwaukee                         W, 8-2

Ritchie / Weber wins vs. Kappers / Petsis, North Dakota                                     W, 8-6

Ritchie / Weber wins vs. Young / Harazin, Iowa                                                     W 8-4

Gold Flight Doubles

Koenen / Modesto wins vs. Hansmann / Pacheco, Northern Illinois                  W, 8-2

Koenen / Modesto wins vs. Delagardelle / Lankelma, Northern Iowa               W, 8-2

Besovic / Christensen wins vs. Lauer / Nunez, South Dakota                               W, 8-1