DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team suffered a 4-3 loss to Missouri State in its final regular-season match of the 2020-21 season Sunday afternoon at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center.
 
The Bears won the doubles point and swept all three matches at the top of the lineup to earn the win. Drake finishes the regular season at 8-8 overall and 2-3 in Missouri Valley Conference action.
 
After the Bears (10-9) had clinched the match, Darinka Stephan, Maria Tatarnikova and Kelsey Neville collected wins at Nos. 5, 4 and 6 singles. Stepan defeated Alyson Piskulic in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 to earn the win.
 
The Bulldogs compete next at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, March 23-25 in Springfield, Mo. Drake opens play as the No. 5 seed against No. 4 Bradley April 23 at 2 p.m.
 
Missouri State 4, Drake 3
Singles competition 
1. Hana Sisirak (MSU) def. Liza Petushkova (DU) 6-2, 6-3 
2. Ellie Burger (MSU) def. Daria Walczak (DU) 6-3, 6-3 
3. Tiffani Nash (MSU) def. Ines Stephani (DU) 6-0, 6-2 
4. Maria Tatarnikova (DU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 
5. Darinka Stepan (DU) def. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) 6-2, 7-6 
6. Kelsey Neville (DU) def. Claire Martin (MSU) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 
 
Doubles competition 
1. Liza Petushkova/Maria Tatarnikova (DU) def. Ellie Burger/Claire Martin (MSU) 6-2 
2. Alyson Piskulic/Hana Sisirak (MSU) def. Daria Walczak/Megan Webb (DU) 6-0 
3. Mara Presot/Mary Houston (MSU) def. Darinka Stepan/Ines Stephani (DU) 6-4 
 
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (3,2,1,5,4,6)