Match Results (PDF)
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team played its second match of the weekend, as the Bears suffered a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Arkansas State (2-3) here Sunday night.  

MSU found itself in an early deficit at the Cooper Tennis Complex, as the Bears struggled in doubles play, falling 6-0, 6-1 in the two finished matches to the Red Wolves.   

"This loss stung, to say the least," said head coach Randall Knox. "We were without one of our top players, and that showed in doubles. We had one day to find new doubles combinations, and it showed that we just weren't there, chemistry-wise, for this match."  

In singles, several Bears found success, stealing momentum back from the Red Wolves after the first completed matches. Playing in the fifth position, Sandra Lukacova handily defeated Yasmine Humbert in two sets by scores of 6-2, 6-1 to even up the team score at one apiece. The win was the freshman's second of the season. Kate Miley also earned a victory, winning her second match of the weekend over Rebecca Brody, 6-2, 6-2. Juliette Robinson earned her first win as a Bear against Arkansas State's Emily Surcey, taking her to three sets. Robinson came out on top with a final score of 7-5, 2-6, 6-4. Ultimately, Missouri State (0-5) fell short, falling in the other singles flights to lose the match 4-3.  

"We won very easily in the fifth and sixth positions, and that pushed the momentum our way," continued Knox, "but we have to give Arkansas State credit for responding strong. We will learn from letting this match slip away and keep getting better."  

MSU will be back on the court on Saturday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. against Kansas City. The match will be indoors at the Cooper Tennis Complex. 
 

#BearsUnite 

Singles: 

(1) Thea Rice (ASU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-4, 6-4  

(2) Nejla Zukic (ASU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-4, 7-5  

(3) Juliette Robinson (MSU) def. Emily Surcey (ASU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-4  

(4) Sofia Vdovychenko (ASU) def. Mara Presot (MSU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2  

(5) Sandra Lukacova (MSU) def. Yasmine Humbert (ASU) 6-2, 6-2  

(6) Kate Miley (MSU) def. Rebecca Brody (ASU) 6-2, 6-2 

Doubles: 

(1) Thea Rice/Nejla Zukic (ASU) def. Mara Presot/Sandra Lukacova (MSU) 6-0  

(2) Yasmine Humbert/Sofia Vdovychenko (ASU) def. Mary Houston/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-1  

(3) Juliette Robinson/Kate Miley (MSU) vs. Emily Surcey/Rebecca Brody (ASU) 3-5, unfinished