The Basics
Drake women's tennis returns to Des Moines for its final two contests of the 2025 regular season. The Bulldogs will host Missouri State on Friday, Apr. 18 at 2 p.m. before closing the regular season slate with their Senior Day celebration against Murray State on Saturday, Apr. 19 at noon.
 
Bulldog Breakdown
The Drake women enter this weekend at 4-14 overall and 1-5 in Missouri Valley Conference action.
 
The Bulldogs dropped their most recent match in Valley play. Drake fell 4-3 at rival UNI despite a competitive battle. Freshman Jessica Popiol shifted into the No. 1 spot for the Bulldogs and earned her first collegiate win atop the lineup. She was an MVC Player of the Week nominee for her efforts.
 
Scouting the Competition
Missouri State enters the weekend at 3-19 overall and 2-4 in MVC action. The Bears are riding a five-match losing streak including three league losses and two defeats via forfeit against Lindenwood and Saint Louis. Missouri State is in its final season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference as the Bears are set to join Conference USA next season.
 
Drake owns a 9-6 all-time record against Missouri State. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings and possess a 3-2 mark when playing in Des Moines.
 
Drake's finale opponent, the Murray State Racers, bring a 13-6 overall record and undefeated 6-0 mark in MVC matches into this weekend. The Racers have won their last 10 bouts with their last loss coming on Feb. 22 at Lipscomb. The Racers will visit UNI on Friday before traveling to Des Moines.
 
The Bulldogs and Racers have tied their two previous meetings with both teams winning in their respective home arenas. Drake's victory came in 2023 while Murray State won the most recent tilt.