ST. LOUIS – Missouri State's women's tennis team placed fourth in the 2020 Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll for the second consecutive season, as announced by the league Thursday.
 
The Bears were one of three teams to garner a first-place vote, completing the poll with 27 points.
 
Stony Brook took the top spot with 45 points, including five first-place votes, followed by Illinois State with 39 points. Bradley ranked third, collecting 38 points and a first-place vote, with the Bears slotting in at 27 points. Drake, Valparaiso, and UNI rounded out the rest of the poll.
 
Missouri State showcased an impressive fall showing, highlighted by Ellie Burger's flight three individual title and Anna Alons and Alyson Piskulic's flight two doubles sweep at the MVC Individual Championships in October. Doubles pair Alye Darter and Burger also made a run at the ITA Central Regionals, earning victories against Arkansas and Tulsa to compete in the round of 16.
 
Last year, the Bears finished 11-11 and 3-2 in MVC play. MSU rallied to beat Drake, 4-3, advancing to the MVC tournament semifinals.  
 
For more information on the Missouri State women's tennis team go to www.missouristatebears.com or twitter (@msubearstennis).
   

Place	Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
#1	Stony Brook (5)	45
#2	Illinois State	39
#3	Bradley (1)	38
#4	Missouri State (1)	27
#5	Drake	25
#6	Valparaiso	12
#7	Northern Iowa	10