Men's & Women's Media Guide - UMKC Athletics

T E N N I SThe NewcomersThe Kangaroos welcome a total ofthree newcomers to the squad in 2009in Ball State transfer Katherine Ristalong with a pair of prep student-athletesfrom Wichita in Jessica Ball andJillian Yakominich.Rist joins the team after playing twoseasons at Ball State in Muncie, Ind.The Leawood, Kan., native was a mainstayin the doubles line-up for the Cardinals,as she posted a 17-11 overallrecord during her two seasons. Ristwent to BSU with an impressive prepresume, as she was a three-time statechampion at Blue Valley North HighSchool.“Katherine is one of the best doubleplayers that I have seen at this level,”said Hale. “She is aggressive and hasgreat hands at the net. She has beenan incredible addition to our squadand we’re looking for big things out ofher this season.”Ball comes to Kansas City after being afour-time all-state selection at WichitaCollegiate High School. She claimedthe Class 3A state doubles championshipas a sophomore and junior andthe 3A state singles title as a senior.“Jessica is a very strong baseliner withgreat hands at the net,” said Hale.“She is an incredible competitor thatworks extremely hard both on and offthe court.”Yakominich, a fellow Wichita native,posted a 124-30 overall record at MaizeHigh School during her four-year career.She placed at the state tournamentin three of her four seasons, asshe finished fifth as a senior, eighth asa junior and seventh as a freshman.“Jillian is considered by her opponentsas the human backboard,” said Hale.“She has worked hard on her powergame this offseason, and now hasa double arsenal for whomever shesteps on the court with.”The ScheduleThe Kangaroos will play a total of 21matches this season with nine of thosecontests being played in Kansas City.The difficult season slate featuresmatches against the likes of Kansas,Missouri, Iowa State and Tulane.“We’re very pleased with the number ofhome matches we have on our 2009schedule, and we are excited to havesome big schools in Kansas, Missouriand Tulane coming to Kansas City,”said Hale. “It’s something we haven’thad in the past, and I think the homematches will help build support withinthe community.”UMKC will open Summit League play onApril 3-5, when it hosts the first leaguecluster of the season at the Plaza TennisCenter. The second cluster, meanwhile,will take place in Macomb, Ill.,where the squad will play four matchesin three days on April 17-19.The 2009 Summit League Championshipswill be held in Fort Wayne, Ind.,on April 24-25. The top four teams inthe regular season standings will advanceto play for an NCAA Championshipberth.Caitlin Burke senior returnee8