Tennis season starts strong at tourney

By Brad Fischer

Published Sept. 12, 2006

The MU tennis team began its season with a strong performance at the Billiken Fall Classic this weekend at St. Louis University.

"It's really early in the year," coach Blake Starkey said. "We looked pretty sharp though."

The two-day event pitted teams from Arkansas, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, St. Louis and MU in several singles tournaments and a doubles competition. No team was declared winner of the event.

Seniors Erika Josbena and Amanda Pratzel led the way for the Tigers by winning the doubles championship. Pratzel also made the final in the A draw singles. Junior Chrissy Svetlic won the B draw singles, and freshman Kaitlin Dunham won the D draw singles.

Starkey said the meet provided his players with an opportunity to just get back to playing collegiate tennis.

"There will be a lot tougher competition later in the year, but you've got to deal with what is in front of you," Starkey said. "For Illinois State, Eastern Illinois and St. Louis University, it's a big deal for them. They play flat out and really want to beat a player from Missouri or Arkansas."

Starkey said the team uses the fall season as a way to prepare for the tougher competition of the spring season.

"The main thing we are doing is working on the individual development of our players," Starkey said. "Each one has different strengths and weaknesses. The kids are trying to focus on the strengths and build their games around them."

The Tigers will hit the road again on Sept. 15 for the Minnesota Invitational in Minneapolis. The event is expected to draw several teams in the top 50 of the collegiate tennis rankings.

The Tigers play five tournaments this fall. Illinois, Iowa State, St. Louis and Wichita State are expected to provide the main opposition for the Tigers.