Box Score
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team continued action in Manhattan, Kan., Sunday, falling in a hard-fought match to South Dakota, 6-1, but earning the team's first individual win of the season.
"Today's match was another chance for us to get better and build our confidence," said head coach Randall Knox. "We started well in doubles again today but came up short. In singles we had some very tough matches. Alyson Piskulic stepped up and rebounded with a win.
Competing in the No. 4 singles position, Alyson Piskulic defeated Natka Kmoskova in two sets, winning the first 6-1 and the second 7-5, to give the Bears their first victory of the spring season. Mara Presot also played South Dakota's Anna Marija Bukina tough, taking her to three sets before falling, 2-6, 6-2, 6-10.
The Bears battled in all three doubles matches against the Coyotes as well, as Presot and Piskulic gave Estella Jaeger and Sonia Skobkareva all they could handle in the No. 3 spot, ending the match unfinished with a score of 5-4. At the No. 1 position, Mary Houston and Tiera Jarmond went to the brink, ending the set in a 7-5 defeat at the hands of Habiba Aly and Jana Lazarevic.
"I'm happy with the energy and the way we competed. We had chances to have a different outcome, but it's sports," continued Knox. "We'll regroup and get ready for the upcoming matches this next weekend."
Missouri State (0-2) will be back in action next week, as the Bears return to Springfield for their home opener on Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29 against Central Arkansas and Arkansas State. Both matches are set to begin at 1 p.m.
(1) Jana Lazarevic (USD) def. Mary Houston (MSU), 6-1, 6-2
(2) Habiba Aly (USD) def. Tiera Jarmond (MSU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-0
(3) Estella Jaeger (USD) def. Kate Miley (MSU), 6-1, 6-0
(5) Anna Marija Bukina (USD) def. Mara Presot (MSU), 6-2, 2-6, 10-6
