Columbia News

The University of Missouri women's tennis team, ranked No. 71, lost to No. 9 Tennessee with a final score of 4-1 on Friday in Columbia. This result brings Missouri's season record to 12-13 overall and 2-11 in Southeastern Conference matches, while Tennessee improves to 16-5 and 10-4 in SEC play.

Missouri was unable to secure the doubles point after losses at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. The top doubles match featuring Mary Brumfield and Korina Roso against Elza Tomase and Saray Yli-Piipari ended unfinished with Missouri trailing 4-5.

In singles competition, senior Inah Canete earned Missouri’s only point by defeating the nation’s No. 36-ranked player, Catherine Aulia, at the No. 2 spot with scores of 6-4, 6-2. Other singles matches saw both freshman Zoe Lazar and junior Andrea Artimedi going unfinished; Lazar had won her first set while Artimedi led in hers when play was halted.

Head coach Bianca Turati commented on the team's performance: "It was such a close match today against a top-10 team. We performed well, especially in singles. When Tennessee clinched the match, we were up on two courts, Zoe at #5 and Andrea at #6. Korina fought hard and came up short in the third set—a fantastic performance by Inah today, who beat the 36th-ranked player in the country. We are progressing, and the team is determined to finish the season strong. I look forward to Senior Day on Sunday as we take on Kentucky and Lindenwood."

Missouri will next host a doubleheader against No. 46 Kentucky at 10:30 a.m., followed by Lindenwood at 4 p.m., with Senior Day celebrations scheduled for Sunday morning before play begins.

Further details about Missouri Tigers women's tennis can be found on their official athletics website or through their social media channels.