MINNEAPOLIS -- The Missouri State tennis team completed its first day of play at the ITA Central Regional Thursday after facing tough competition in its four singles matches at Baseline Tennis Center.

"We come to this tournament to play the best in our region," said head coach Mallory Weber. "As tough as it is to lose, as long as we can grow from it good things will come."

The Bears dropped each of their four singles matches in the first round of the nearly 200-player bracket. Junior Anelisse Torrico Moreno went three sets against UNI's Elvira Lopez, a player she defeated in straight sets at last week's Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championship, losing a third-set tie-breaker in Thursday's meeting.

MSU's Fati Khamissi and Alye Darter each fell to players from the University of Iowa, and Ekaterina Donetskova dropped a 6-1, 6-4 decision to Maria Toran-Ribes of Kansas.

The Bears will send two pairs into the 64-team doubles bracket, beginning at 8 a.m. Friday, with consolation singles play to follow.

Thursday's Results
Singles
Maria Toran-Ribes (Kansas) def. Ekaterina Donetskova (MSU), 6-1, 6-4 (main draw round of 128)
Aimee Tarun (Iowa) def. Fati Khamissi (MSU), 6-3, 6-1 (main draw round of 128)
Anastasia Reimchen (Iowa) def. Alye Darter (MSU), 6-4, 6-2 (main draw round of 256)
Elvira Lopez (UNI) def. Anelisse Torrico Moreno (MSU), 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (1) (main draw round of 128)

Upcoming Schedule
Singles
Friday consolation match schedule to be determined.

Doubles
Ekaterina Donetskova/Fati Khamissi (MSU) vs. Lisa Andersson/Mary L. Hanna (Nebraska), 9 a.m. Friday (main draw round of 64)
Alye Darter/Anelisse Torrico Moreno (MSU) vs. Natsuho Arakawa/Shannon Hudson (Arkansas), 8 a.m. Friday (main draw round of 64)