CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Drake women's tennis traveled to Cedar Falls on Saturday afternoon for a Missouri Valley Conference duel. Drake kept with the Panthers for much of the day's action but could not inch in front as UNI sent the Bulldogs back to Des Moines with a 4-3 defeat.
 
UNI won the doubles point to start the day with tandem wins in the Nos. 1 and 2 positions. Jana Ruzic and Nicole Lee teamed up at No. 3 for a 7-6 win over UNI's Lasya Mylavarapu and Abbie Peterson, but their effort was too little, too late as the Panthers took a 1-0 lead overall.
 
UNI also won at the top two spots in singles play despite Jessica Popiol and Elizabete Klavinska forcing the bouts into three sets. Shiori Takeda and Tess Caldicott picked up singles wins for Drake at No. 3 and No. 5, respectively. Takeda beat UNI's Kim Zizek in straight sets while Caldicott won via retirement. Jessica Popiol also won her match at No. 1 after bouncing back with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, result.
 
The Bulldogs will be back at home for their next two matches to close the 2025 regular season. Drake is set to host Missouri State on Apr. 18 and Murray State on Apr. 19.
 
 
Singles Results at UNI
1. Darta Dalecka (UNI) Jessica Popiol (DU) def. Darta Dalecka (UNI) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 
2. Lorena Cardoso (UNI) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 7-5, 6-7, 6,2
3. Shiori Takeda (DU) def. Kim Zizek (UNI) 6-2, 6-3 
4. Andjela Raznatovic (UNI) def. Jana Ruzic (DU) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2  
5. Tess Caldicott (DU) def. Kanyanut Susaard (UNI) 6-0, 1-0 (retired) 
6. Abbie Peterson (UNI) def. Nicole Lee (DU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 
 
Doubles Results at UNI
1. Darta Dalecka/Lorena Cardoso (UNI) def. Elizabete Klavinska/ Jess Caldicott (DU) 6-2
2. Kim Zizek/ Andjela Raznatovic (UNI) def. Jessica Popiol/Shiori Takeda (DU) 6-4 
3. Jana Ruzic/ Nicole Lee (DU) def. Lasya Mylavarapu/Abbie Peterson (UNI) 7-6