ARLINGTON, Texas – The Drake University women's basketball team won their eighth MVC Tournament championship this afternoon in an 89-71 defeat of regular season co-champion Belmont (23-11, 17-3). The Bulldogs (22-9, 14-6) won all four quarters in a convincing title triumph to earn their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six seasons.
 
Tarleton State 4, Drake 3
The Bulldogs dell to 7-5 on the season after a 4-3 loss to Tarleton State yesterday,  Tuesday, Mar. 14. Drake had won two matches prior to the close loss to Tarleton State to kick off their Texas swing. 
 
The Bulldogs and Texans went back and forth throughout the day, with Tarleton State finishing narrowly on top against the Bulldogs. Millie Haagensen and Oriana Parkins-Godwin collected singles wins for Drake. Parkins-Godwin controlled her match, winning in straight sets. 
 
The Bulldogs experienced more success in doubles action than singles, winning two out of their three matches. The duos of Darinka Stepan/Mille Haagensen and Ines Stephani/Oriana Parkins-Godwin won for Drake. Stepan and Haagensen won handily in a 6-2 victory. 
 
"We had a tough assignment competing outdoors and on the road," Drake head coach Breaunna Addison said. "We adjusted remarkably well, however, and played some of our best doubles to date to secure that point. Overall, it came down to just a few points in singles, but we competed the Bulldog way, and that's all I can ask."
 
UT Arlington 4, Drake 3
Drake came back this afternoon for their second match in as many days with another 4-3 loss, this at the hands of UT Arlington. The road trip to Texas did not treat the Bulldogs well as they lost their second contest in a row.
 
Drake fought hard against UTA; however their efforts came up just short. Mille Haagensen and Oriana Parkins-Godwin won their singles matches for the second day in a row. After dropping her first set 6-0, Parkins-Godwin rebounded and won the next two sets to win the match overall. 
 
The Bulldogs continued their success in doubles, winning two out of three of their matches once again. The tandem of Parkins-Godwin and Ines Stephani proved to be dominant as they won their match 6-1. Mille Haagensen and Darinka Stepan secured the other doubles victory for Drake, winning 6-4. 
 
"I think we had markable improvement in doubles, and it's exciting to see it starting to come together," Addison explained after today's match. "UTA is a tough team, but we competed well and, similar to yesterday, the difference came down to a handful of singles points. This match was a great building block to help us prepare for the start of MVC play."
 
Next, the Bulldogs begin conference play as they're slated to host MVC-newcomer UIC on Saturday, Mar. 18 in Des Moines
 
 
 
Singles vs Tarleton State - Order of finish (6, 5, 3, 4, 1, 2)

1. Emma Persson (TS) def. Ines Stephani (DU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Martha Makantasi (TS) 7-6, 10-2
3. Elsa Boisson (TS) def. Darinka Stepan (DU) 6-3, 7-5
4. Ximena Morales (TS) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 6-3, 7-6
5. Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) def. Elif Albayrak (TS) 6-3, 6-0
6. Clara Sobius (TS) def. Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) 6-0, 6-3

Doubles vs Tarleton State - Order of finish (1, 3, 2)

1. Darinka Stepan/Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Martha Makantasi/Clara Sobius (TS) 6-2
2. Ines Stephani/Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) def. Elsa Boisson/Emma Persson (TS) 6-4
3. Ximena Morales/Elif Albayrak (TS) def. Elizabete Klavinska/Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) 6-3

 
Singles vs UT Arlington - Order of finish (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

1. Liz Chileno (UTA) def. Ines Stephani (DU) 6-3, 6-0
2. Mille Haagensen (DU) def. Tara Gorinsek (UTA) 6-3, 6-4
3. Sarina Reinertsen (UTA) def. Darinka Stepan (DU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Bruna Casasampere (UTA) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 7-6, 6-3
5. Oriana Parkins-Godwin (DU) def. Ana Paula Jimenez (UTA) 6-3, 6-3
6. Francisca Vergara (UTA) def. Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles vs UT Arlington - Order of finish (1, 2, 3)

1. Mille Haagensen/Darinka Stepan (DU) def. Tara Gorinsek/Ana Paula Jimenez (UTA) 6-4
2. Oriana Parkins-Godwin/Ines Stephani (DU) def. Liz Chileno and Sarina Reinertsen (UTA) 6-1
3. Bruna Casasampere/Francisca Vergara (UTA) def. Elizabete Klavinska/Jyun-Yi Lee (DU) 6-3