SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State women's tennis took the doubles point but was unable to hold off the ensuing Bradley attack, as the Bears (5-9) fell to the Braves, 4-3, here Saturday in the MVC opener for both squads.

"It was a hard-fought match today," head coach Ellie Burger said. "We have some adjustments to make for our match tomorrow against Illinois State. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish tomorrow."

The doubles team of Diana Cabrera and Alyson Piskulic got MSU to a desired start with a 6-2 win over Bradley's Madalena Andrade and Kirstin Hailey in flight one. Sandra Lukacova and Juliette Robinson followed up the victory by defeating the Braves' Maria Bezmenova and Anna Belogliadova, 7-6 (7-5), giving the Bears the doubles point and a 1-0 lead.

However, Bradley would respond with four straight victories in singles to clinch the dual in its favor. BU's Bezmenova began the stretch with a win over Lukacova in flight four, 6-3, 6-1. Then, the Braves' Andrade defeated Piskulic in No. 5 singles, 7-5, 6-4, while Bradley's Mariia Pukhina took out Mary Houston in the No. 2 slot in a three-set contest, 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, giving the Braves a 3-1 advantage. The clinching match came in the No. 1 position when BU's Belogliadova downed Cabrera 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, and the Braves held a 4-1 lead while the final two matches remained in play.

Despite the match already being decided, MSU rattled off two victories in flights three and six. Robinson (No. 3) won a classic against the Braves' Hailey, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Then, Silva Avakian (No. 6) downed Bradley's Alexandra Hildreth, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4, to give the Bears three total points on the afternoon.

Up next, Missouri State stays home for a matchup with Valley foe Illinois State Sunday at 10 a.m., indoors at Cooper Tennis Complex. Admission is free.

Results:

Doubles

1 — Diana Cabrera/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) def. Madalena Andrade/Kirstin Hailey (BU) 6-2

2 — Juliette Robinson/Sandra Lukacova (MSU) def. Anna Belogliadova/Maria Bezmenova (BU) 7-6 (7-5)

3 — Silva Avakian/Mary Houston (MSU) vs. Alexandra Hildreth/Mariia Pukhina (BU) uf

Order of finish — 1, 3, 2

Singles

1 — Anna Belogliadova (BU) def. Diana Cabrera (MSU), 1-6, 6-4, 6-4

2 — Mariia Pukhina (BU) def. Mary Houston (MSU), 6-1, 4-6, 6-1

3 — Juliette Robinson (MSU) def. Kirstin Hailey (BU) 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4

4 — Maria Bezmenova (BU) def. Sandra Lukacova (MSU) 6-3, 6-1

5 — Madalena Andrade (BU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 7-5, 6-4

6 — Silva Avakian (MSU) def. Alexandra Hildreth (BU) 1-6, 6-2, 6-4

Order of finish — 4, 5, 2, 1, 3, 6

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