DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's tennis team wrapped up their 2025 regular season schedule this afternoon with a home match against the league-leading Racers of Murray State. The Bulldogs did their best to keep pace with Murray State, but their Senior Day effort was not enough as the Racers left town with a 5-2 win.
 
Despite the loss, Drake was able to secure a place in the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Tennis Championships as the No. 6 seed. The official MVC bracket will be released tomorrow.
 
Drake leapt out to an early lead in the match after sweeping the doubles contests. Jessica Popiol and Jana Ruzic teamed up for a win at No. 1. Shiori Takeda and Elizabete Klavinska combined for a No. 2 win while Nicole Lee, Drake's lone senior, and Tess Caldicott won in the third position.
 
The Racers found their footing in singles play with wins by Valeria Chaikovskaia, Varya Alexeyeva, and Yu Kikawa at Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Jana Ruzic picked up a win over Murray State's Bruna Melato in the fourth spot, but that was Drake's last gasp as Murray State went on to win, 5-2.
 
 
Singles Competition vs. Murray State
1. Valeria Chaikovskaia (MURR) def. Jessica Popiol (DU) 6-2, 6-4
2. Varya Alexeyeva (MURR) def. Elizabete Klavinska (DU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Yu Kikawa (MURR) def. Shiori Takeda (DU) 6-3, 6-3
4. Jana Ruzic (DU) def. Bruna Melato (MURR) 66-4, 6-3
5. Paola Campigotto (MURR) def. Tess Caldicott (DU) 6-0, 6-1
6. Rebecca Widan (MURR) def. Nicole Lee (DU) 6-4, 6-3
 
Doubles Competition vs. Murray State
1. Jessica Popiol/Jana Ruzic (DU) def. Valeria Chaikovskaia/Bruna Melato (MURR) 6-3
2. Shiori Takeda/Elizabete Klavinska (DU) def. Yu Kikawa/Barbora Hermanova (MURR) 7-5
3. Nicole Lee/Tess Caldicott (DU) def. Paola Campigotto/Varya Alexeyeva (MURR) 7-5