DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team suffered a tough 4-3 loss to Montana State Friday evening at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
"This is definitely a tough one to swallow. I think this was our first 4-3 match of the season so but right now it stings a little bit," said Tran.
 
The Bulldogs won their third-consecutive doubles point, earning a 1-0 lead over the Bobcats. Tess Herder and Liza Petushkov improved their record to 11-1 with a 6-1 win at No. 1. Summer Brills and Kenya Williams secured the doubles point as they topped Linda Vink and Angelina Philippova, 6-2, at No. 2.
 
"I think we started out strong in doubles, winning at one and two. Tess and Liza did a great job of taking care of their matches," said Tran.
 
Petushkova gave Drake a 2-0 lead as she won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 3 singles.
 
Herder cruised to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Annie Walker at No. 2 to extend Drake's lead to 3-0.
 
The Bobcats managed to tie it up at 3-3 with wins on courts No. 5, No. 6 and No. 1, respectively.
 
The decisive match point came down to court No. 4 between Williams and Philippova. Willams took the first set 6-1, but Philippova came right back to win the second, 6-2, to force a third set.
 
Early in the third set, Williams suffered an injury and after receiving some treatment by the athletic trainer, she attempted to continue play, but was forced to retire due to the injury during the eighth game.
 
"Kenya had a good start and her opponent came back pretty strong. Unfortunately, Kenya couldn't pullout the last set physically. So this was a physical match and there is a lot we can take from it to help get ready for Sunday," said Tran.
 
The Bulldogs will wrap up competition this weekend on Sunday as they host Grand Canyon at 10 a.m.
 
Montana State 4, Drake 3
Mar 09, 2018 at Des Moines, Iowa (Roger Knapp Tennis Center) 

Singles competition

1. MARY, Laura (MSU) def. Brills, Summer (DU) 6-1, 4-6, 6-4

2. Herder, Tess (DU) def. WALKER, Annie (MSU) 6-2, 6-1

3. Petushkova, Liza (DU) def. VINK, Linda (MSU) 6-3, 6-2

4. PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) def. Williams, Kenya (DU) 1-6, 6-2, 4-3, retired

5. ZANDER, Enni (MSU) def. Jaglarz, Mela (DU) 6-4, 6-4

6. CHEVERIE, Sarah (MSU) def. Kozlowski, Alex (DU) 6-2, 6-4

 

Doubles competition

1. Herder, Tess/Petushkova, Liza (DU) def. MARY, Laura/WALKER, Annie (MSU) 6-1

2. Brills, Summer/Williams, Kenya (DU) def. VINK, Linda/PHILIPPOVA, Angelina (MSU) 6-2

3. ZANDER, Enni/CHEVERIE, Sarah (MSU) def. Jaglarz, Mela/Kozlowski, Alex (DU) 6-2

 

Match Notes

Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (,2,3,5,6,1,4)