CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Missouri State women's tennis team advanced two doubles teams and five individuals to the semifinals in Friday's opening day of the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships at UNI Tennis Complex.
 
MSU claimed two of its three doubles matches, as Alye Darter and Ellie Burger cruised to the 8-6 first flight win. Anna Alons and Alyson Piskulic matched their teammates, tallying an 8-6 decision against Illinois State. Both duos move on to Saturday's semifinal matches.
 
Four Bears clinched decisive victories in singles to earn a spot in tomorrow's semifinal rounds.
 
Anna Alons defeated her UNI opponent in the second flight, taking a 6-3, 6-0 straight-set win to kick start MSU's winning ways.
 
Two of the Bears' singles matches went three sets, as newcomers Claire Martin (6-4, 3-6, 6-2) and Alyson Piskulic (7-5, 3-6, 7-5) pulled away in the closing moments of the fourth and fifth set, respectively.
 
Ellie Burger knocked off the Braves in a tight third-flight 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) tiebreaker.
 
Rounding out the Bears' victors, Alexia Meyer rebounded for a 6-1, 6-0 decision against Valparaiso in the final flight.
 
"Today was a great start to the tournament," said head coach Mallory Weber. "To have our two doubles and five individuals get into the semifinals is a complete team effort."

The Bears resume play tomorrow at 10 a.m.
 
For more information on the Missouri State women's tennis team go to www.missouristatebears.com or twitter (@msubearstennis).
 
Doubles Results:
 
Alye Darter/Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Petushkova/Webb (DU) 8-6
Anna Alons/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Fitzgerald/Arciniegas (ILS) 8-6
Moreira/Fain (UNI) def. Taylor Shaw/Alexia Meyer (MSU) 8-4
 
Singles Results:
 
Tara Damnjanovic (ISU) def. Alye Darter (MSU) 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1
Anna Alons (MSU) def. Emma Carr (UNI) 6-3, 6-0
Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Natalia Barbery (BU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-1)
Claire Martin (MSU) def. Demi Jhaveri (VU) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Nina Marjanovic (BU) 7-5, 3-6, 7-5
Olivia Fain (UNI) def. Alexia Meyer (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
Alexia Meyer (MSU) def. Lia Boucek (VU) 6-1, 6-0