SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women's tennis claimed a hard-fought victory over South Dakota on Sunday afternoon with a 5-2 scoreline at Cooper Tennis Complex.

The Bears set the tone for the match with a compelling doubles performance, securing victories on the No. 1 and 3 courts.

Freshman Matilde Ercoli and senior Lucy Latham beat Coyotes' Selena Bird and Cassy Marra 6-3 on the first court, for their second victory in a row. Freshman Leni Eichner and senior Billur Gonlusen beat Coyotes' Kayleigh Didderiens and Ava Doddridge 6-1.

In singles competition, senior Raluca Puscas was the first Bear to win, beating Coyotes' Cassy Marra on the fourth court convincingly, 6-4, 6-2.

Ercoli quickly followed suit on court five, taking out the Coyotes' Keta Shavishvili, 6-1, 6-4.

Freshman Elsie Jackson clinched the winning point on court six in a thrilling three setter over the Coyotes' Natalia Alves De Lima with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory.

On court No. 1 Latham also fought hard to come back in her triumph over the Coyotes' Anna Medvyedyeva, with a 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 scoreline.

Results
Missouri State (3-4) – 5, South Dakota (3-1), 2
Doubles

1. Matilde Ercoli and Lucy Latham (MOST) def. Selena Bird and Cassy Marra (USD), 6-3
2. Anna Medvyedyeva and Keta Shavishvili (USD) def. Elsie Jackson and Raluca Puscas (MOST), 6-4
3. Leni Eichner and Billur Gonlusen (MOST) def. Kayleigh Didderiens and Ava Doddridge (USD), 6-1

Order of Finish: 1, 3, 2
Singles

1. Lucy Latham (MOST) def. Anna Medvyedyeva (USD), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2
2. Selena Bird (USD) def. Billur Gonlusen (MOST), 6-3, 7-6 (5)
3. Kayleigh Didderiens (USD) def. Leni Eichner (MOST), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
4. Raluca Puscas (MOST) def. Cassy Marra (USD), 6-4, 6-2
5. Matilde Ercoli (MOST) def. Keta Shavishvili (USD), 6-1, 6-4
6. Elsie Jackson (MOST) def. Natal Alves De Lima (USD), 2-6, 6-3, 6-1

The Missouri State women's tennis team will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 12:00 p.m. against Northeastern State at Cooper Tennis Complex.