SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State women's tennis team (5-11, 0-3 MVC) fell to Belmont here Saturday afternoon, 4-0.

"Another competitive match and a lot to take away from today,' head coach Ellie Burger said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how we come back against Saint Louis."

The Bruins (5-10, 2-0 MVC) entered the Missouri Valley Conference slate as the preseason favorite to win the league. To begin the dual, every doubles match was decided by two games in a back-and-forth battle for the doubles point. The pair of Mary Houston and Juliette Robinson took down Belmont's Viktoria Kliimand and Taylor Trondson, 6-4, in flight two to get things started. However, the Bruins responded in the No. 3 slot when Belmont's Libbie Hamilton and Meredith Roberts defeated Silva Avakian and Amy Henning, 7-5. The deciding match came in the No. 1 position, and Belmont locked up the doubles point after the Bruins' Mariia Hlahola and Abi Solomon downed Diana Cabrera and Alyson Piskulic, 7-5. 

In singles, Belmont cleaned up in the bottom three flights to secure the dual. In No. 6, the Bruins' Hamilton defeated Henning, 6-1, 6-3. Then, Belmont's Roberts downed Piskulic, 6-3, 6-3, in the No. 4 slot. The last match that concluded was in flight five, as the Bruins' Trondson emerged victorious over Avakian, 6-3, 6-3, to give Belmont its second Valley win.

The potential match of the afternoon turned into the match that never was, as Cabrera and Hlahola squared off in flight one. In a rematch of the 2022 MVC Individual Championships No. 1 Singles championship match, Cabrera took the first set, while Hlahola led in the second. The match was suspended with Cabrera holding the advantage, 7-5, 3-4. Hlahola won the championship match in the fall in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3.

Prior to the match, Missouri State celebrated senior day. The Bears recognized Piskulic and Cabrera for their careers at MSU.

"It's been so great having Alyson and Diana on this team," Burger said. "The impact they make is so evident. I'm glad we got to honor them today with our last Saturday match."

Up next, MoState stays home for a matchup with Saint Louis (12-4) Wednesday at 12 p.m. The match will take place at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, and admission is free.

Results:

Doubles
1 – Mariia Hlahola/Abi Solomon (BEL) def. Diana Cabrera/Alyson Piskulic (MOST) 7-5
2 – Mary Houston/Juliette Robinson (MOST) def. Viktoria Kliimand/Taylor Trondson (BEL) 6-4
3 – Libbie Hamilton/Meredith Roberts (BEL) def. Silva Avakian/Amy Henning (MOST) 7-5
Order of finish – 2,3,1

Singles
1 – Diana Cabrera (MOST) vs. Mariia Hlahola (BEL) 7-5 3-4 (uf)
2 – Mary Houston (MOST) vs. Abi Solomon (BEL) 7-6 (7-4) 2-1 (uf)
3 – Juliette Robinson (MOST) vs. Viktoria Kliimand (BEL) 6-3 2-6 (uf)
4 – Meredith Roberts (BEL) def. Alyson Piskulic (MOST) 6-3 6-3
5 – Taylor Trondson (BEL) def. Silva Avakian (MOST) 6-3 6-3
6 – Libbie Hamilton (BEL) def. Amy Henning (MOST) 6-1 6-3
Order of finish – 6,4,5