CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Missouri State women's tennis team swept UNI in singles to prevail in a commanding 6-1 victory to open Missouri Valley Conference play at the UNI Tennis Complex.
 
The Bears (8-7, 1-0 MVC) battled after falling behind in doubles action to earn all six singles points to garner their fourth-straight league opener.
 
"Great start to our conference season," said head coach Mallory Weber. "We stepped up our game and played much smarter in singles to earn the win."
 
Starting the MSU comeback, Clara Gandara Gonzalez quickly dispatched her opponent 6-0, 6-1 in the fourth flight to even the score.
 
No. 6 Ellie Burger and No. 3 Fati Khamissi added two more points in the Bears' column, each winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 and 6-4, 6-0, respectively. Burger's point handed MSU the lead, which it kept the remainder of the match.
 
Phoebe Boeschen clinched the Bears' conference victory, beating UNI 6-1, 6-4 in the fifth flight.
 
MSU continued to overwhelm the Panthers (3-5, 0-2 MVC), taking them to three sets in the final two flights. No. 2 Alye Darter rebounded for the 6-4, 4-6, 10-8 decision while No. 1 Anna Alons overcame a first-set setback to finish off UNI 6-7, 6-2, 10-5.
 
No. 3 doubles duo Boeschen and Khamissi pulled off the lone decision for the Bears by a 6-4 margin.
 
The Bears return to the court tomorrow (Apr. 7) to face Drake at 11 a.m.
 
For all of the latest information on the Missouri State women's tennis team, visit MissouriStateBears.com or follow @MSUBearsTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
 
Doubles
 
Reghan Lynch/Claudia Toledo (UNI) def. Anna Alons/Ellie Burger (MSU) 6-2
Harri Proudfoot/Caro Valentina (UNI) def. Alye Darter/Mara Presot (MSU) 6-2
Phoebe Boeschen/Fati Khamissi (MSU) def. Daisy Phillips/Olivia Fain (UNI) 6-4
 
Singles
 
Anna Alons (MSU) def. Reghan Lynch (UNI) 6-7, 6-2, 10-5
Alye Darter (MSU) def. Claudia Toledo (UNI) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8
Fati Khamissi (MSU) def. Harri Proudfoot (UNI) 6-4, 6-0
Clara Gandara Gonzalez (MSU) def. Daisy Phillips (UNI) 6-0, 6-1
Phoebe Boeschen (MSU) def. Caro Valentina (UNI) 6-1, 6-4
Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Olivia Fain (UNI) 6-2, 6-2