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CONWAY, Ark. - The Missouri State women's tennis team started its season over the weekend at a two-day fall invitational hosted by the University of Central Arkansas. The tournament kicked off on Sunday, Oct. 3 with one round of doubles and two rounds of singles, and continued Monday, Oct. 4 with two rounds of doubles and optional round of singles. 

The Bears were competing in a seven-team field, against athletes from Northwestern State, Southeast Missouri State, Austin Peay, Louisiana Tech, Arkansas State and Central Arkansas.  

"This tournament was a really tough one and had a lot of good teams, some that won their conference last year, and others that will compete for their conference championship this spring," said head coach Randall Knox. 

Following a standout freshman year campaign last season, Tiffani Nash was back in action for the Bears, competing in singles play. Playing in the first flight for MSU, Nash claimed a victory over SEMO's Romana Tarajova, 6-4 and 7-5, in the third round on Monday. Competing in the fifth spot for the Bears, Tiera Jarmond also secured a win on the second day of competition. The freshman defeated her opponent from Austin Peay, 7-5 and 7-6, to record her first victory as a Bear.  

In doubles competition, Bears' pair Sandra Lukacova and Mary Houston recorded wins in the first and third rounds, competing in the second flight for MSU. On Sunday they claimed a 6-1 victory over a pair from Northwestern State University and Louisiana Tech before winning by default in the third round.  

"It was a big step up in competition for us, and we really took it on the chin. But this is a good thing where it puts us in a place where we have to pick ourselves up and work harder to get ready for the next challenge," said Knox. "The good thing is we improved in day three and that was a good sign for this young team. I'm looking forward to watching them compete again and see what we have learned." 

The Bears will continue their fall season this weekend at the MVC Individual Championships hosted by Valparaiso. The tournament begins on Friday, Oct. 8 and will conclude on Sunday, Oct. 10.  

Singles Results:
Round 1:
(1) Leonie Schuknect (LTU) def. Tiffini Nash (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
(2) Yada Vasupongchai (UCA) def. Sandra Lukacova (MSU) 6-0, 6-1
(3) Olga Bienzobas (LTU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
(5) Ana Rodrigues (LTU) def. Tiera Jarmond (MSU) 6-1, 6-3
(6) Alexia Romero (LTU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
(7) Manuela Barriga (SEMO) def. Brooke Buehler (MSU) 6-3, 6-0 

Round 2:
(1) Tjasa Klevisar (NSU) def. Tiffini Nash (MSU) 6-3, 6-1
(2) Daniela Hlacikova (SEMO) def. Sandra Lukacova (MSU) 6-3, 6-3
(3) Pei-Yu Lai (SEMO) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-4, 6-2
(5) Myroslava Zelenchuk (SEMO) def. Tiera Jarmond (MSU) 6-2, 4-6, (10-7)
(6) Viktorie Wojcikova (NSU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
(7) Lara Unkovich (LTU) def. Brooke Buehler (MSU) 6-0, 6-0 

Round 3:
(1) Tiffini Nash (MSU) def. Romana Tarajova (SEMO) 6-4, 7-5
(2) Rozalie Dohnalova (NSU) def. Sandra Lukacova (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
(3) Jaeun Lee (UCA) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-0, 6-4
(5) Tiera Jarmond (MSU) def. Yu-Hua Cheng (APSU) 7-5, 7-6 (2)
(6) Rebecca Brody (A-State) def. Kate Miley (MSU) 7-5, 7-6 (2)
(7) Honoka Nakanishi (APSU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles Results:
Round 1:
(1) Vdovychenko/Humbert (A-State) def. Piskulic/Jarmond (MSU) 6-3
(2) Lukacova/Houston (MSU) def. Kanaphuet/Unkovich (NSU/LTU) 6-1
(3) Hamanaga/Lee (UCA) def. Nash/Miley (MSU) 6-1 

Round 2:
(1) Shikanova/Valeeva (SEMO) def. Piskulic/Jarmond (MSU) 6-3
(2) Morris/ Nakanishi (APSU) def. Lukacova/Houston (MSU) 6-3
(3) Lai/Barriga (SEMO) def. Nash/Miley (MSU) 7-5 

Round 3:
(1) Tarajova/Velkoska (SEMO) def. Piskulic/Jarmond (MSU) 6-3
(2) Lukacova/Houston (MSU) def. Vasupongchai/Ishimura (UCA) wd
(3) Szczygielska/Ishibashi (NSU) def. Nash/Miley (MSU) 6-4 

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