SPRINGFIELD - Missouri State women's tennis had Kansas City on the ropes with the final three singles matches all going the full three sets, but MSU (2-2) ultimately came up short here Friday night, 4-2.
 

"Tough match today," head coach Ellie Burger said. "We had lots of close sets and matches, but we just couldn't capitalize on our opportunities. We're going to adjust and be ready for Central Arkansas on Sunday."
 

Kansas City (3-3) secured the doubles point thanks to wins in flights one and three. KC's Laura Munoz-Baroja/Michela Xibilia took down MSU's Mary Houston/Tiera Jarmond, 6-4, in the No. 1 slot, while Catherine Chrobak/Eva Kresovic defeated Sandra Lukacova/Juliette Robinson, 6-3, in the No. 3 position to clinch the doubles point before the flight two match concluded.

In singles, MSU quickly equalized the dual thanks to a win in No. 3 singles by Robinson over KC's Munoz-Baroja, 6-3, 6-3. Kansas City responded with a victory in flight five, as KC's Kate Miley took down Alyson Piskulic, 6-0, 6-0.
 

Next, Silva Avakian downed KC's Tuana Tinaztepe in the No. 6 position, 6-2, 6-3, allowing Missouri State to even the dual once again at two points apiece.

However, the Roos took care of business in flights one and four to end MoState's chances at its third-straight victory. KC's Michela Xibilia defeated Diana Cabrera in No. 1 singles, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, while the Roos' Joanna Cardona took down Lukacova in the No. 4 slot, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, to clinch the dual.

Piskulic's and Cabrera's losses in singles marked the first defeats either have suffered this spring.


Missouri State seeks a chance to rebound on Sunday when the Bears host Central Arkansas at Cooper Tennis Complex at 10 a.m. Admission is free.

Results:

Doubles

1 -- Laura Munoz-Baroja/Michela Xibilia (KC) def. Mary Houston/Tiera Jarmond (MSU), 6-4

3 -- Catherine Chrobak/Eva Kresovic (KC) def. Sandra Lukacova/Juliette Robinson (MSU), 6-3.

*No. 2 doubles match between Diana Cabrera/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) and Joanna Cardona/Kate Miley (KC) suspended due to doubles point being already clinched.

Singles

1 -- Michela Xibilia (KC) def. Diana Cabrera (MSU), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4

3 -- Juliette Robinson (MSU) def. Laura Munoz-Baroja (KC), 6-3, 6-3

4 -- Joanna Cardona (KC) def. Sandra Lukacova (MSU), 2-6, 6-2, 6-4

5 -- Kate Miley (KC) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU), 6-0, 6-0

6 -- Silva Avakian (MSU) def. Tuana Tinaztepe (KC), 6-2, 6-3

*No. 2 singles match between Mary Houston (MSU) and Catherine Chrobak (KC) suspended due to the dual being already clinched.

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