SPRINGFIELD – Sandra Lukacova will play for a first-place prize after surviving the semi finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championship on Saturday at home.
 
In the sixth flight, Lukacova battled against UIC's Zara Ryan to secure her spot in the finals. The junior from Slovakia took an early lead when she won the first set 7-5. Ryan forced a third set after winning the second with the same score. Lukacova swept her opponent in the third set and won 6-0. She will play in the finals for first place.
 
Juliette Robinson is still alive and will be fighting for fifth place in the consolation bracket. Her semifinals opponent withdrew due to injury.
 
Neither Lukacova nor Robinson placed at the MVC Individual Championship last season.
 
"We had some really close matches today. We're going to make some adjustments and end strong on day three tomorrow!" head coach Ellie Burger said.
 
Lukacova and Robinson will play their final matches tomorrow. The action will start at 9:00 a.m. at Cooper Tennis Complex.
   
Singles Results
Flight No. 1 – Cristina Flaquer (6-2)
Lost to Ines Stephani (Drake) – 7-6 (3), 6-4
 
Flight No. 2 – Mary Houston (3-5)
Lost to Millie Haagensen (Drake) – 6-2, 7-5
 
Flight No. 3 – Juliette Robinson (6-2)
Defeated Hana Sokolovic (BEL) – Inj. Ret.
 
Flight No. 4 – Tuana Gunal (4-3)
Lost to Viktoria Kliimand (BEL) – 7-6 (7), 4-6, 10-8
 
Flight No. 6 – Sandra Lukacova (5-3)
Defeated Zara Ryan (UIC) – 7-5, 5-7, 6-0
 
Flight No. 7 – Lisa Muehlbauer (1-6)
Lost to Paola Campigotto (MUR) – 6-2, 6-0