Match Results (PDF)
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team dropped its home opener here Sunday afternoon, in a hard-fought, 4-3, loss against Omaha at the Cooper Tennis Complex. 

The Bears came out strong in doubles play, with all three matches going down to the wire. Newcomer Juliette Robinson made her MSU debut with partner Sandra Lukacova, and led Omaha's Natalie Lorentz and Keegan VanPelt midway through, before falling 6-4. The pair of Mary Houston and Tiera Jarmond playing in the first position were second to finish for the Bears, dropping their match 7-5 and giving the Mavericks the doubles point. The pair of Alyson Piskulic and Mara Presot facing off against Colby Kelley and Addison Miller went unfinished (6-5). 

"Today's loss was hard to take," said head coach Randall Knox. "We played well enough in doubles to get the win with match points, but we let it slip away." 

In singles play, the Bears continued to fight, with Jarmond earning her first win of the season in a 6-3, 6-3 win in the second position over Omaha's Rachel Osborn. Piskulic continued the success she garnered against South Dakota, winning her second match of the season in a 7-6(4), 6-3 defeat of Lorentz. Sandra Lukacova earned her first victory of the season over with wins in the first and third sets over Lillian Tiemeyer (6-3, 7-6(3)) to give MSU their third point of the day.  

"In singles we started strong in the second and third positions, and they stepped out and got the wins," continued Knox. "Overall, we are happy with the way they competed. This young team is learning to take their opportunities sooner and we can't wait for our next match." 

Missouri State (0-3) will continue its home slate on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. against SEMO indoors at the Cooper Tennis Complex. 

Singles Results: 

(1) Madison Gallegos (UNO) def. Mary Houston (MSU), 6-4, 6-1 

(2) Tiera Jarmond (MSU) def. Rachel Osborn (UNO), 6-3, 6-2 

(3) Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Natalie Lorentz (UNO) 7-6(4), 6-3 

(4) Brooke Covington (UNO) def. Juliette Robinson (MSU) 6-4, 6-4 

(5) Keegan VanPelt (UNO) def. Kate Miley (MSU), 6-1, 6-4 

(6) Sandra Lukacova (MSU) def. Lillian Tiemeyer (UNO), 6-3, 7-6(3) 

Doubles Results: 

(1) Inez Absisan/Rachel Osborn (UNO) def. Mary Houston/Tiera Jarmond (MSU), 5-7 

(2) Colby Kelley/Addison Miller (UNO) vs. Alyson Piskulic/Mara Presot (MSU), 6-5 

(3) Natalie Lorentz/Keegan VanPelt (UNO) def. Juliette Robinson/Sandra Lukacova (MSU), 6-4  

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