Feb. 4, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (February 4, 2003) - The Southeast Missouri State Otahkian Tennis team will open up the regular season this weekend as they travel to Columbia, Mo. to take on the Tigers of the University of Missouri. The match is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

New head coach Mike Stevens said the Otahkians are ready for the season and ready to compete against Missouri.

"We had a very good fall season," said Stevens. "Each player on the team showed improvement both physically and mentally. The team is very eager to start playing against outside competition."

Missouri is ranked 69th nationally in women's tennis and are currently 3-0 after beating Texas A&M 5-2. Urska Juric is ranked 29th in the nation in singles and along with her doubles partner, Katka Sevcikovic, they are ranked 5th in doubles.

Stevens thinks opening against Missouri is a good opportunity for the team and commemorates their coach for turning the Tiger's Tennis program around.

"Coach Starkey has really turned their program into a highly ranked team in just a few years," said Stevens. "They are capable of beating any team on the courts this year and will be at the top of the Big 12 Conference."

Next the Otahkians take on Arkansas-Little Rock on February 22 at 3 p.m. in Little Rock, Ark. The first home meet will be March 29 at 10 a.m. against Eastern Kentucky.