SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Drake University women's tennis team won its ninth ever Missouri Valley Conference title with a dominant 4-0 win over Missouri State Sunday morning to clinch the program's third-ever NCAA Tournament berth and its first since 2000.
 
Maria Tatarnikova sealed the victory with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles to start the Bulldogs' celebration.
 
She teamed up with Liza Petushkova to win their doubles match 6-1, while Darinka Stepan and Ines Stephani prevailed 6-2 to secure the doubles point for the Bulldogs.
 
Kelsey Neville then made quick work of her opponent at No. 6 singles with a 6-0, 6-3 win to put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Petushkova rolled at No. 1 singles 6-1, 6-0 to give Drake a 3-0 lead and put the Bulldogs on the cusp of securing the title.
 
Tatarnikova then clinched the match with her convincing victory. The Bulldogs were also up handily in the three other singles matches that went unfinished after the team secured the fourth point for the title.
 
The Bulldogs will now wait until the NCAA selection show May 3 to learn their NCAA Tournament opponent with play beginning May 8.
 
 
 
Drake vs Missouri State
4/25/2021 at Springfield, Mo.
(Cooper Tennis Complex)
Drake 4, Missouri State 0
 
Singles competition
1. Liza Petushkova (DU) def. Hana Sisirak (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Ellie Burger (MSU) vs. Daria Walczak (DU) 6-4, unfinished
3. Tiffani Nash (MSU) vs. Ines Stephani (DU) 6-3, unfinished
4. Maria Tatarnikova (DU) def. Mary Houston (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Alyson Piskulic (MSU) vs. Darinka Stepan (DU) 7-6, unfinished
6. Kelsey Neville (DU) def. Claire Martin (MSU) 6-0, 6-3
 
Doubles competition
1. Liza Petushkova/Maria Tatarnikova (DU) def. Ellie Burger/Claire Martin (MSU) 6-1
2. Hana Sisirak/Alyson Piskulic (MSU) vs. Kelsey Neville/Daria Walczak (DU) unfinished
3. Darinka Stepan/Ines Stephani (DU) def. Mara Presot/Mary Houston (MSU) 6-2
 
Match Notes:
Drake 11-8
Missouri State 12-9
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,1,4)