SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State tennis team defeated UIC 4-3 at home on Saturday.
 
For the third time this season, the Bears (11-8, 2-3 MVC) were able to win the match with singles points after losing out on the doubles point.
 
Tuana Gunal sealed the Bears' victory. The freshman lost the first set of the No. 3 singles match but was able to force the match to a third set when she won the second 6-1. UIC's Mayu Ushio put up a fight in the third set. Gunal was able to build a strong lead over Ushio and led 5-2 at one point in the match. When it was down to the last points, Gunal was able to battle back and take the third set 7-5 to secure MoState its second conference victory.
 
Nicole Ross also faced a three-set match in the No. 5 spot. Ross won the first set 6-2 over UIC's Zara Ryan before dropping the second set by the same amount. Ross got back in the game in the third set to win 6-3 and secure the point. Ross in undefeated this season in third.
 
In the No. 6 match, Sandra Lukacova was able to tie the team scores with a quick 6-2, 6-3 victory over Anais Brion from UIC.
 
Mary Houston was the first Bear to win a singles match today in her penultimate appearance at Cooper Tennis Complex. Houston cruised through the first set to win 6-1 over UIC's Tamara Malazonia. The two battled in the second set, but Houston was able to come out victorious with a 7-5 win.
 
The Bears home season ends tomorrow with a 10:00 a.m. match against Valparaiso. Seniors Cristina Flaquer and Houston will be honored at the conclusion of the match.
   
Results
Missouri State (11-8, 2-3) – 4, UIC (8-11, 4-2) – 3
Doubles
1. Cristina Flaquer/Nicole Ross (MOST) lost to Agnes Gustafsson/Mayu Ushio (UIC) – 6-1
2. Tuana Gunal/Juliette Robinson (MOST) lost to Camille Belberka/Tamara Malazonia (UIC) – 6-1
3. Mary Houston/Sandra Lukacova (UIC) defeated Paula Rodriguez Gregoris/Zara Ryan (UIC) – 6-4
 
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
 
Singles
1. Cristina Flaquer (MOST) lost to Agnes Gustafsson (UIC) – 7-5, 6-1
2. Mary Houston (MOST) defeated Tamara Malazonia (UIC) – 6-1, 7-5
3. Tuana Gunal (MOST) defeated Mayu Ushio (UIC) – 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
4. Juliette Robinson (MOST) lost to Camille Belberka (UIC) – 1-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3)
5. Nicole Ross (MOST) defeated Zara Ryan (UIC) – 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
6. Sandra Lukacova (MOST) defeated Anais Brion (UIC) – 6-2, 6-3
 
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 6, 5, 4, 3