SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State tennis' Juliette Robinson earned the match-clinching victory here Sunday as the Bears earned a narrow 4-3 victory over SEMO for the first time since 2018.
 
Robinson's win at No. 4 singles gave the Bears (6-4) the win. The native from Carey Gulley, Australia lost the first set to SEMO's Vivian Lai 6-3, but battled back to take the second set 6-4. The Bears and Redhawks were tied 3-3 as the final set of the No. 4 match began. Robinson established an early lead and held on to it as she blazed her way to a 6-2 finish and another win for the Bears.
 
Nicole Ross also finished in three sets today. At No. 6, Ross faced SEMO's Lera Valeeva who won the first set 6-1. Ross also had to dig deep and fight back, but ultimately took the second and third sets 6-2.
 
At No. 1, Cristina Flaquer put the Bears on the board with her quick win. The senior from Barcelona defeated Cosima Trinity Calinescu 6-4 in the first set. In the second set, Flaquer won 6-3 to secure her fifth singles win this season.
 
A win at No. 5 gave MoState a lead for part of the match. Sandra Lukacova won both sets of her match 6-4 to record another singles win.
 
Missouri State is 2-3 this season when they lose the doubles point. The Bears' other win came at Oral Roberts on Feb. 17.
 
"Today was another gritty win for the girls," head coach Ellie Burger said. "I am so proud of them and the way they competed. After dropping the doubles point, they found a way in singles. I'm excited for SBU on Thursday."
 
The Bears home stand continues Thursday when Southwest Baptist comes to Cooper Tennis Complex at 10:00 a.m.
   
Results
Missouri State (6-4) – 4, SE Missouri State (3-6) – 3
Doubles
1. Cristina Flaquer/Nicole Ross (MOST) lost to Daniela Hlackiova/Juliette Talieu (SEMO) – 6-1
2. Sandra Lukacova/Mary Houston (MOST) lost to Cosima Trinity Calinescu/Vivian Lai (SEMO) – 6-4
3. Tuana Gunal/Juliette Robinson (MOST) defeated Maja Bajorek/Lera Valeeva (SEMO) – 6-2
 
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
 
Singles
1. Cristina Flaquer (MOST) defeated Cosima Trinity Calinescu (SEMO) – 6-4, 6-3
2. Mary Houston (MOST) lost to Daniela Hlackiova (SEMO) – 6-2, 3-6, 6-0
3. Tuana Gunal (MOST) lost to Juliette Talieu (SEMO) – 6-4, 6-1
4. Juliette Robinson (MOST) defeated Vivian Lai (SEMO) – 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Sandra Lukacova (MOST) defeated Maja Bakorek (SEMO) – 6-4, 6-4
6. Nicole Ross (MOST) defeated Lera Valeeva (SEMO) – 1-6, 6-2, 6-2
 
Order of Finish: 1, 6, 5, 2, 3, 4