SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State's tennis team thwarted a late South Dakota comeback in singles play for the 5-2 victory Sunday morning at Cooper Tennis Complex.
 
Starting the morning match in doubles action, No. 2 pair Anna Alons and Alyson Piskulic collected their second win of the weekend with a quick 6-1 result. The Coyotes (0-6) countered with its own 6-3 mark before No. 1 Ellie Burger and Alye Darter wrapped up the Bears' (2-3) doubles point in a tight 6-4 match.  
 
South Dakota claimed the first singles point in the No. 1 slot to even the contest, 1-1, but wins from No. 3 Ellie Burger (6-3, 6-2) and No. 4 Taylor Shaw (6-2, 6-1) swung momentum back to the home side.
 
MSU's Anna Alons fell to Habiba Aly 6-4, 6-4, allowing South Dakota to cut into the Bears advantage. The Coyotes' rally was short-lived as No. 5 Claire Martin clinched the match 6-1, 7-6(4) and No. 6 Piskulic added on the extra point in a 6-4, 7-6 (6) thriller to complete MSU's second win of the season.
 
"This was a great team win," said head coach Mallory Weber. "I'm proud of the way we fought and rebounded at home."
 
Up next, the Bears square off at Arkansas on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 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. Berta Girbau/Jana Lazarevic (SD), 6-4
Alyson Piskulic/Anna Alons (MSU) def. Natka Kmoskova/Nanette Nylund (SD), 6-1
Habiba Aly/Agustina Diaz (SD) def. Claire Martin/Mara Presot (MSU), 6-3
 
Singles Results:
 
Jana Lazarevic (SD) def. Alye Darter (MSU), 6-1, 6-0
Habiba Aly (SD) def. Anna Alons (MSU), 6-4, 6-4
Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Berta Girbau (SD), 6-3, 6-2
Taylor Shaw (MSU) def. Agustina Diaz (SD), 6-2, 6-1
Claire Martin (MSU) def. Nanette Nylund (SD), 6-1, 7-6 (4)
Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Eesha Varma (SD), 6-4, 7-6 (6)