SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake University women's tennis team opened play at the Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships Saturday, Oct. 6 in Springfield, Mo. at the Cooper Tennis Complex. Freshman Kelsey Neville and sophomore Megan Webb led Drake with a 6-3 victory over UNI's Fain/Merrick in Doubles Flight 3. The pair will play Missouri State's Darter/Presot for a championship Sunday.
 
In singles play for the Bulldogs on Saturday, sophomore Carmen Palumbo lost to Sandra Maletin (Bradley) 6-1, 7-5 in Flight 1. Freshman Daria Walczak dropped her match to Anna Alons (Missouri State) 6-2, 6-2 in Flight 2. Sophomore Liza Petushkova was defeated by Fati Khamissi (Missouri State) 6-1, 7-5 in Flight 3. Junior Sophia Haleas fell in a close match to Ellie Burger (Missouri State) 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in Flight 4. Neville battled all three sets against Nicola Perlwitz (Bradley) but lost 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in Flight 5. Daisy Phillips (UNI) beat Webb 6-1, 6-2 in Flight 6.
 
In the rest of doubles for Drake, Missouri State's Burger/Alons edged Palumbo and Petushkova, 6-4 in Flight 1 while Valpo's Wind/Paradise defeated Haleas and Walczak, 7-5 in Flight 2.
 
The final day of the MVC Individuals will be Sunday with play starting at 9 a.m.
 
Following the MVC Individuals, Drake will conclude its fall campaign at the ITA Regional Championship, Oct. 12-16 in Iowa City, Iowa.