Tennis Bears Begin Home Slate Against Drury, Eastern Illinois

Dual Details

The Missouri State women’s tennis team (0-1,0-0) battles Drury (0-0,0-0) on Friday, Feb. 3, at 12 p.m. before taking on Eastern Illinois (0-2,0-0) on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. Both matches will take place at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, marking the first home duals of the season for the Bears. Admission is free.
 

Baseline Knowledge

• Missouri State is searching for its first dual victory under first-year head coach Ellie Burger, who was named to the position on June 1, 2022.   
• Before becoming head coach, Burger played tennis for the Bears from 2017-21 and was a three-time All-MVC performer. She ranks third in program history for career singles winning percentage (.782) with a 43-18 career record.   
• MoState enters the dual looking to bounce back from its season-opening loss against Louisiana Monroe, a heartbreaker that went the distance, 4-3. During the contest, Diana Cabrera, Sandra Lukacova and Alyson Piskulic all picked up singles wins, while the tandem of Cabrera/Piskulic earned a victory in No. 2 doubles. 
• In the fall, the Bears season was headlined by Cabrera. The senior finished second in No. 1 singles at the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Individual Championships. Overall, Cabrera holds a 6-6 record in singles and 5-6 mark in doubles (all with Alyson Piskulic).   
• Freshman Silva Avakian grabbed fourth in No. 3 doubles (with Mary Houston) and fifth in No. 6 singles at the 2022 MVC Individual Championships. Avakian is above .500 in overall singles matches, taking a record of 6-5 into the dual.    
• Sophomore Sandra Lukacova has only suffered defeat twice in singles matches thus far, currently posting a 7-2 record on the season. She also holds a 3-4 mark in doubles (all with Juliette Robinson).   
• Missouri State was scheduled to play Louisiana Tech and McNeese State in Ruston, La., on Jan. 28, and Jan. 29. However, both duals were canceled due to weather conditions. 
• The Bears were picked eighth out-of-nine teams in the 2023 MVC Preseason Poll, receiving 22 points.    

2023 MVC Preseason Poll 

1. Belmont (6)   

2. Illinois State   

3. UIC (3)   

4. Drake   

5. Murray State   

6. Valparaiso   

7. Bradley   

8. Missouri State   

9. UNI   

Series History (based on information available) 

• Drury: MSU leads the all-time series, 3-0. 
• Eastern Illinois: MSU leads the all-time series, 5-1. Last meeting: MSU (Southwest Missouri State) 7, EIU 0 (Feb. 27, 1999).

Looking Ahead 

Up next, MoState tennis stays at home for a matchup with Kansas City on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. The dual will take place at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield. Admission is free.   

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