Mizzou Tennis Gears Up for DePaul Clash Amidst Rising SEC Competition

Tigers look to avenge 1991 loss as they prepare for tough SEC stretch

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

The University of Missouri women's tennis team heads to Chicago on Tuesday, February 24th, to face DePaul in a match that marks the first meeting between the two programs in 34 years. This contest comes on the heels of a weekend split in Nashville, where the Tigers demonstrated both their offensive prowess and competitive spirit against Tennessee State and Vanderbilt.

Why it matters

This match presents an opportunity for Missouri to build momentum as they prepare for a challenging stretch of SEC competition, including matches against top-ranked opponents Texas and Texas A&M. The increasing competitiveness of women's college tennis mirrors a broader trend of growth in the sport, with the SEC emerging as a dominant force.

The details

Missouri dominated Tennessee State with a decisive 5-0 victory, with impressive performances from freshman Lara Quaglia and sophomore Zoe Lazar. The team then faced a tougher challenge against Vanderbilt, falling 6-1, but senior Andrea Artimedi provided a bright spot, earning Mizzou's sole point in a hard-fought three-set tiebreaker. DePaul currently holds a 5-5 record, having recently been defeated by Northwestern 6-1.

  • The University of Missouri women's tennis team heads to Chicago on Tuesday, February 24th, to face DePaul.
  • Missouri faced Vanderbilt and Tennessee State over the weekend of February 21-22.

The players

Lara Quaglia

A freshman on the Missouri women's tennis team.

Zoe Lazar

A sophomore on the Missouri women's tennis team.

Andrea Artimedi

A senior on the Missouri women's tennis team.

DePaul

The women's tennis team from DePaul University.

Northwestern

The women's tennis team from Northwestern University.

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What’s next

Following the DePaul match, Missouri returns home to face No. 10 Texas on February 27th. A home doubleheader on March 1st will see the Tigers take on No. 5 Texas A&M and Lindenwood, providing a significant test of their capabilities against top-ranked conference opponents.

The takeaway

This match against DePaul presents an opportunity for Missouri to build momentum as they prepare for a challenging stretch of SEC competition, which includes matches against top-ranked opponents like Texas and Texas A&M. The increasing competitiveness of women's college tennis, particularly in the SEC, underscores the need for programs like Mizzou to continually elevate their performance.