O'FALLON, Ill.  – The Missouri State tennis team capitalized on winning the opening four points to stifle a Saint Louis rally for a 4-3 result Friday afternoon at St. Clair Tennis Club.
 
The Bears were shaky to start doubles, dropping the No. 2 flight to give the home club an early lead. MSU quickly countered, with No. 1 Alye Darter and Ellie Burger topping SLU's Misgau and Gonzalez in a tight 7-5 decision before Alyson Piskulic and Susan Salinas wrapped up MSU's point in the third flight.
 
MSU continued its hot streak, tallying victories in the Nos. 6, 3, and 1 spots to effectively shut down a Billiken rally. No. 6 Presot began singles with a straight-set 6-1, 6-4 win, marking her first for this spring campaign. Taylor Shaw piled on another Bears' point in the third flight with a matching 6-1, 6-4 result while No. 1 Alye Darter concluded MSU's scoring efforts with a 6-3, 6-3 score.
 
SLU attempted a late comeback bid, seizing the remaining singles matches on the Nos. 2, 4, and 5 courts but fell short to extend its skid to six games.
 
Up next, the Bears welcome SEMO to Cooper Tennis Complex for a 7 p.m. Friday evening contest.
 
For more information on the Missouri State women's tennis team go to www.missouristatebears.com or twitter (@msubearstennis).
 
 
Doubles Results:
 
Ellie Burger/Alye Darter (MSU) def. Misgau/Gonzalez (SLU), 7-5
Natalie Lorentz/Marie Kapelevich (OMAHA) def. Claire Martin/Mara Presot (MSU), 6-2
Alyson Piskulic/Susan Salinas (MSU) def. Rojo/Bourgeois (SLU), 6-4
 
Singles Results:
 
Alye Darter (MSU) def. Rojo (SLU), 6-3, 6-3
Misgau (SLU) def. Ellie Burger (MSU), 7-5, 6-4
Taylor Shaw (MSU) def. McKenzie (SLU), 6-1, 6-4
Gonzalez (SLU) def. Claire Martin (MSU), 6-2, 4-6, 11-9
Rodriguez (SLU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU), 6-3, 6-7, 10-4
Mara Presot (MSU) def. Bourgeois (SLU), 6-1, 6-4