SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State tennis team closed out the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championship at home on Sunday with five top-5 finishers, including a runner-up finish at No. 6 singles.
 
Sandra Lukacova had the highest place finish for the Bears when she lost the finals match to take home a second-place prize in the sixth flight. She was 2-1 on the weekend.
 
Cristina Flaquer (No. 1), Mary Houston (No. 2) and Lisa Muehlbauer (No. 7) all placed fourth in their singles flights to round out the weekend for the Bears.
 
"Altogether, there were a lot of positives and improvements from last weekend. We're looking forward to a strong finish of our fall season at regionals!" head coach Ellie Burger said.
 
Juliette Robinson secured a fifth-place finish in the tournament with her victory over Valparaiso's Mia Bertina in the third flight. Robinson blanked Bertino in the first set to win 6-0. The second set was almost the same when Robinson won 6-1. It was Robinson's largest margin of victory so far this season.
 
After resting for a few days, the Bears will be traveling to Lawrence, Kan. on Thursday to play in the ITA Regionals for their final event of the fall season.
   
Day Three
Singles Results
Flight No. 1 – Cristina Flaquer (6-3)
Lost to Tijana Zlatanovic (ILS) – 6-3, 6-2 (third-place match)
 
Flight No. 2 – Mary Houston (3-6)
Lost to Vesa Gjinaj (BEL) – 6-0, 6-3
 
Flight No. 3 – Juliette Robinson (7-2)
Defeated Mia Bertino (VALPO) – 6-0, 6-1
 
Flight No. 6 – Sandra Lukacova (5-4)
Lost to Natalie Slezakova (MUR) – 6-3, 6-4 (championship match)
 
Flight No. 7 – Lisa Muehlbauer (1-7)
Lost to Paula Rodriguez (UIC) – 6-2, 6-0
 
 
Day Two
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
 
 
Day One
Singles Results
Flight No. 1 - Cristina Flaquer (6-1)
Defeated Olivia Czerwonka (Valpo) – 7-5, 6-1
 
Flight No. 4 - Tuana Gunal (4-2)
Lost to Sydney Stone (Valpo) – 6-1, 6-1
 
Flight No. 2 - Mary Houston (3-4)
Defeated Varvara Alexeyeva (MUR) – 6-2, 7-6 (4)
 
Flight No. 6 - Sandra Lukacova (4-3)
Defeated Alexandra Hildreth (BRAD) – 3-6, 6-3, 6-1
 
Flight No. 7 - Lisa Muehlbauer (1-5)
Defeated Sreelasya Mylavarapu (UNI) – 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
 
Flight No. 3 - Juliette Robinson (6-2)
Defeated Kim Zizek (VALPO) – 7-6 (4), 6-3
Lost to Lana Caculovic (ILS) – 6-3, 6-0
 
Doubles Results
Flight No. 1 - Cristina Flaquer/Mary Houston (4-3)
Lost to Darta Delecka/Lorena Cardoso (UNI) – 8-5
 
Flight No. 2 - Lisa Muehlbauer/Sandra Lukacova (0-1)
Lost to Nolena Kolarevic/Silvia Pomarolli (ILS) – 8-3
 
Flight No. 3 - Tuana Gunal/Juliette Robinson (0-2)
Lost to Elizabete Klavinska/Nicole Lee (Drake) – 8-4