DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team upped its Missouri Valley Conference record to 2-0 with a convincing 6-1 win over visiting Valparaiso Saturday afternoon.
 
The Bulldogs defeated Valpo, 6-1, by sweeping all six singles matches.
 
After dropping the doubles points, Drake rattled off successive wins at No. 5, 4, 6 and 3 singles. Freshman Ines Stephani's 6-3, 7-5 win at No. 3 singles clinched the match for the Bulldogs. Wins at No. 1 and 2 singles followed.
 
Maria Tatarnikova (No. 4), Darinka Stepan (No. 5) and Kelsey Neville (No. 6) all won their matches in straight sets.
 
The Bulldogs, who improved to 8-5 overall, continue MVC action next weekend at Bradley with an 11 a.m. match April 10 in Peoria, Ill.
 
Valparaiso vs Drake
4/3/2021
Des Moines, Iowa
Roger Knapp Tennis Center
 
Drake 6, Valparaiso 1
 
Singles competition
1. Liza Petushkova (DU) def. Czerwonka, Claire (VALPO) 1-6, 7-5, 6-2
2. Daria Walczak (DU) def. Czerwonka, Olivia (VALPO) 6-3, 0-6, 6-4
 
3. Ines Stephani (DU) def. Tabanera, Amanda (VALPO) 6-3, 7-5
4. Maria Tatarnikova (DU) def. Bertino, Mia (VALPO) 6-2, 6-1
5. Darinka Stepan (DU) def. McConnell, Allison (VALPO) 6-4, 6-1
6. Kelsey Neville (DU) def. Schoolcraft, I. (VALPO) 6-3, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Czerwonka, Claire/Czerwonka, Olivia (VALPO) def. Liza Petushkova/Maria Tatarnikova (DU) 6-4
2. Tabanera, Amanda/Schoolcraft, I. (VALPO) def. Kelsey Neville/Daria Walczak (DU) 6-1
3. Darinka Stepan/Ines Stephani (DU) def. Bertino, Mia/McConnell, Allison (VALPO) 6-4
 
Match Notes:
 
Valparaiso 5-9
Drake 8-5
 
Order of finish: 
Doubles (2,1,3);
Singles (5,4,6,3,1,2)