SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team made the most out of its non-conference finale as the Bears defeated Southwest Baptist, 5-2, Saturday morning.  

"It was a great effort today by the team," MSU Head Coach Hannah Keeling said. "It was great to see them utilize what we have been doing in practice and apply it in matches. We are ready for conference play to begin. I have to give credit to Mary Houston for coming back in a third set win." 
   
MSU was able to secure the doubles point for the fifth time this season, to gain the early 1-0 advantage. Tiffani Nash and Alyson Piskulic defeated SBU's Diana Cabrera and Elsa Pascual in No. 2 doubles, 6-3, before the Bears clinched the doubles point in the No. 3 spot as Mary Houston and Mara Presot swept the visiting Lola Cincunegui and Emma Davis, 6-0. 
  
In No. 1 singles, Ellie Burger was defeated by the Bearcats Diana Cabrera (6-4, 6-4). Tiffani Nash was impressive in the No. 2 spot with a sweep of SBU's Constanca Crespo, 6-1, 6-2. Southwest Baptist answered with a win in the No. 3 match as Catarina Zheng defeated Taylor Shaw (2-6, 6-2, 6-2). Alyson Piskulic won the No. 4 match over Elsa Pascual of SBU, 6-2, 6-3. 
  
Missouri State grabbed another win in the No. 5 position as Mary Houston notched a three-set win over Lola Cincunegi (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) while Clare Martin swept Emma Davis in the No. 6 match, 6-0, 6-0. 
   
The Bears (6-8) will be back in action April 3-4 when they begin MVC play by hosting Bradley on Saturday and Illinois State on Sunday.
Results

 
Singles Competition 

1. Diana Cabrera (SBU) def. Ellie Burger (MSU) 6-4, 6-4
2. Tiffani Nash (MSU) def. Constanca Crespo (SBU) 6-1, 6-2
3. Catarina Zheng (SBU) def. Taylor Shaw (MSU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
4. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Elsa Pascual (SBU) 6-2, 6-3
5. Mary Houston (MSU) def. Lola Cincunegui (SBU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Claire Martin (MSU) def. Emma Davis (SBU) 6-0, 6-0 
 
Doubles Competition 
 
1. Constanca Crespo/Catarina Zheng (SBU) def. Ellie Burger/Claire Martin (MSU) 6-4
2. Tiffani Nash/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Diana Cabrera/Elsa Pascual (SBU) 6-3
3. Mary Houston/Mara Presot (MSU) def. Lola Cincunegui/Emma Davis (SBU) 6-0