KU Set to Host UMKC

Feb. 13, 2008

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>LAWRENCE, Kan. – On the heals of its first victory of the season last weekend against Saint Louis, the University of Kansas tennis team will look to continue its solid play on Saturday when it faces UMKC at First Serve at 11 a.m.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The Jayhawks (1-3) fell to Illinois in the first match of a doubleheader on Sunday, but rebounded with a convincing 7-0 win over SLU. KU took all three of the doubles matches and each of the six singles contests en route to the victory.

Leading Kansas so far this season has been junior Edina Horvath, who is yet to lose a singles or doubles contest in dual match play. The Budapest, Hungary, native is 4-0 in the No. 1 doubles spot with senior Elizaveta Avdeeva, and has gone unblemished while playing in both the No. 3 and No. 4 singles positions.

Also getting off to a solid start this spring has been freshman Magdalena Tokarczyk. After winning her first two outings in the No. 2 singles slot against Arkansas and Tulsa, the Ksawerow, Poland, native was bumped up to No. 1 last weekend, where she went 1-1. Tokarczyk also played well with senior Lauren Hommell in doubles, going 2-0 in the No. 3 spot.

UMKC enters the match with a record of 0-2 with losses to Missouri and, most recently, Northern Iowa. In the two schools last meeting, the Jayhawks defeated the Kangaroo’s, 7-0, on March 25, 2006 in Lawrence. It is the only time the two programs have met prior to Saturday.

This weekend will mark KU’s final appearance at home before a stretch of four-straight road duals, which includes the Jayhawks’ Big 12 opener at KansasState on March 5.

Check back with kuathletics.com during Saturday’s match for live updates from First Serve.