Box Score SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State battled long-time rival Wichita State here Saturday afternoon in the Bears spring opener, but were unable to catch the visiting Shockers, falling 6-1 competitive dual at Cooper Tennis Complex.
 
Ellie Burger was impressive in her No. 2 singles win as she defeated Marta Belluco by the scores of 7-6, 6-2 to put the Bears on the board.
 
Taylor Shaw, Tiffani Nash and Claire Martin all went three sets in their singles matches at No. 3, 4, and 6 singles, respectively, but ultimately fell to their opponents.
 
"There were some great first matches and battles on every court today," head coach Hannah Keeling said. "It was really good to see the girls compete, and we are excited to build from this and work towards conference."
 
Wichita State swept all three doubles matches to take the point and an early lead it never surrendered.
 
MSU (0-1) will be back in action with a road trip next weekend, Feb. 5-7, as the Bears face South Dakota, Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton.
 
For more information on the Missouri State women's tennis team go to www.missouristatebears.com or twitter (@msubearstennis).
 
Doubles Results:
 
Marta Belluco/Sarvinoz Saidhuejaeva (WSU) def. Hana Sisirak/Alye Darter (MSU), 3-6
Ting-Ya Hsu/Jie Xin Zheng (WSU) def. Ellie Burger/Tiffani Nash (MSU), 6-4
Alexandra Lazarova/Natsumi Kurahashi (WSU) def Alyson Piskulic/Claire Martin  (MSU), DNF
 
Singles Results:
 
Sarvinoz Saidhuejaeva (WSU) def. Alye Darter (MSU), 6-4, 6-3
Ellie Burger  (MSU) def. Marta Belluco (WSU), 7-6, 6-2
Ting-Ya Hsu (WSU) def. Taylor Shaw (MSU) 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Jie Xin Zheng (WSU) def. Tiffani Nash (MSU), 6-4, 6-3
Natsumi Kurahashi (WSU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Alexandra Lazarova (WSU) def. Claire Martin (MSU), 6-7, 6-2, 7-6
 
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