Miller and Parke-Bedard Set to Compete for a Spot in The Finals
Freshman Katie O'Riley
Freshman Katie O'Riley

Oct. 12, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Redbirds continued to look strong on their first day of competition at the Mizzou Invitational on Friday, Oct. 12. The `Birds ended the day with four of their players heading to the semifinals, after facing teams from Iowa State, Murray State, Drake, Missouri and Saint Louis.

In Flight A Singles, all three Redbirds advanced to the semifinals, after facing tough competition. Senior Katri Miller defeated Casey Miller (SLU), 6-2, 6-2. Following her first victory, Miller bested Erin Karonis (ISU), 6-2, 6-2. Senior Véronique Parke-Bédard topped Caitlin Loprinzi (ISU), 6-2, 6-2. Parke-Bedard then came from behind to beat Mallory Weber (MU) in three sets, 5-7, 6-0, 11-9. Sophomore Julia Zubkova continued the success beating Hailee Elmore (SLU), 6-3, 6-4 and then defeating Kailtin Dunham (MU), 6-3, 5-7, 10-8. Miller and Parke-Bedard are set to face each other tomorrow for a spot in the finals.

In Flight B Singles, freshman Katie O'Riley and senior Carolyne Parent experienced both wins and losses. O'Riley was first defeated by Rachel McCullagh (SLU), 3-6, 6-3, 11-9 to then return and beat Alexis Webb (MSU) in the back draw, 7-5, 6-3. Parent lost straight sets to Raquel Wagner (MU), 6-4, 6-3, however in her second match Parent topped Lyndsay Ottosean (MSU), 7-6, (7-3), 6-4.

In Flight C Singles, sophomore Carmen Peters was defeated by Sofia Ayala (MU), 7-5, 6-2. Peters came back to defeat Katelyn Fulcher (MSU), 6-1, 6-2, in her second match of the day. Junior Tanja Hrovatic won both of her matches. Hrovatic first defeated Dori Losonczy (ISU), 6-1, 6-2, and later beat Ashley Pierson (MSU), 6-1, 6-2.



In doubles, Parke-Bedard and Miller were granted a bye into the semifinals of Flight A, while Zubkova and O'Riley were defeated by Amanda Hellberg and Tara Grant (SLU), 9-7 in Flight B. In the Flight C Doubles draw, Peters was partnered with Sofia Ayala (MU) to compete against Parent and Hrovatic and won 8-3.

Overall, head coach Chris Hoover was content with today's competition.

"Right now what we need from the team is more consistency from top to bottom," said Hoover. "Hopefully tomorrow we will see more of that."

Action continues in the Mizzou Invitational on Saturday and concludes Sunday.