SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women's tennis opened its fall slate with a 6-1 victory over Drury on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Cooper Tennis Complex.

The Bears (1-0) and the Panthers were neck-and-neck during doubles play. Senior Raluca Puscas and freshman Matilde Ercoli got the first win of the day at the No. 2 spot, with a 6-4 scoreline over Drury's Antanina Novik and Ina Bechle. The all-freshman No. 3 tandem of Leni Eichner and Elsie Jackson clinched the doubles point with an ever-so-close 7-6 scoreline against Drury's Franca Piaggi and Ana Luisa Sathler Rosa. The Eichner/Jackson duo held their nerve during the tie-break coming back from a 4-0 deficit to take it out nine points to seven and secure a 1-0 lead for the Bears. 
                                                                      
MSU dominated in singles play, continuing the momentum from doubles. Eichner was the first to secure a singles victory at No. 3, beating Eliana Weichel 6-3, 6-0. Her doubles partner Elsie Jackson finished soon after, with a win over Bechle, 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 5 spot.

At No.1 singles, sophomore Lucy Latham battled in a fierce 6-4, 6-3 victory over Leana Chanove. At the No. 2 position, Puscas fought hard to come back in the second set to claim a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Novik.

Ercoli rounded out the Bears' wins for the day with a 6-0, 7-5 victory over Piaggi at the No. 4 spot.

The Bears will host the MoState Invitational next, a two-day event starting on October 3 at 8:00 a.m. at Cooper Tennis Complex.

Results
Missouri State (1-0) – 6, Drury – 1
Doubles
1. Leana Chanove/Eliana Weichel (DU) defeated Lucy Latham/Billur Gonlusen (MOST), 6-1.
2. Matilde Ercoli/Raluca Puscas (MOST) defeated Antanina Novik/Ina Bechle (DU), 6-4
3. Leni Eichner/Elsie Jackson (MOST) defeated Franca Piaggi/Ana Luisa Sathler Rosa (DU), 7-6 (7) 
Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
1. Lucy Latham (MOST) defeated Leana Chanove (DU), 6-4, 6-3
2. Raluca Puscas (MOST) defeated Antanina Novik (DU),6-3, 7-5
3. Leni Eichner (MOST) defeated Eliana Weichel (DU), 6-3, 6-0
4. Matilde Ercoli (MOST) defeated Franca Piaggi (DU), 6-0, 7-5
5. Elsie Jackson (MOST) defeated Ina Bechle (DU), 6-2, 6-2
6. Ana Luisa Sathler Rosa (DU) defeated Lola Federski (MOST), 7-5, 6-3
Order of Finish: 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6