SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team opened MVC Tournament play in impressive fashion as the Bears defeated Valparaiso, 4-1 in front of an electric crowd on Friday afternoon at Cooper Tennis Complex.  
  
"It was a fantastic first round performance today against a competitive Valparaiso team," head coach Hannah Keeling said. "Throughout the lineup today each player stepped up and battled to be successful. I am very happy with how we approached the match. We are looking forward for another chance tomorrow." 
  
Missouri State gained the early advantage by securing the doubles point to jump ahead 1-0. Hannah Sisirak and Alyson Piskulic defeated Valpo's Amanda Tabanera and Isabella Schoolcraft in the No. 2 spot, 6-2 to give the Bears their first win in doubles play. MSU then clinched the doubles point in the No. 3 match as Mara Presot and Mary Houston won a hard-fought contest over Demi Jhaveri and Allison McConnell of Valparaiso (6-4). It marked the 11th time this season the Bears have won the doubles point. 
  
Valpo answered back in singles play as the visitors got on the board in the No. 1 spot as Claire Czerwonka swept Hana Sisirak, 6-1, 6-0. MSU regained the lead in the No. 2 match as Ellie Burger swept Claire Czerwonka of Valpo, (6-1, 7-5) to avenge her regular-season loss to Czerwonka back on April 10. 
   
MSU extended its lead in the No. 5 position with Alyson Piskulic defeating Schoolcraft, 6-1, 6-4. Freshman Mary Houston sealed the victory for the Bears by sweeping McConnell, 7-5, 6-2. In the No. 3 spot Tiffani Nash won her first set over Tabanera, 6-2 before their match was called due to MSU clinching. Claire Martin also did not finish her No. 6 match with Valpo's Mia Bertino after taking the first set, 6-2. 
  
With the win, MSU (11-9) will make its third consecutive MVC semifinal appearance as the Bears will meet Stony Brook Saturday at 2 p.m. It will be only the second meeting all-time between the two teams as Stony Brook only competes in the MVC Tournament as an affiliate member. The Seawolves (7-3) defeated Northern Iowa, 4-0, in their quarterfinal match early Friday morning.