Results (HTML)

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The No. 31-ranked Northeastern State women's tennis team lost 5-2 to No. 27 Southwest Baptist in the finals of the 2014 MIAA Championship Sunday morning at the Cooper Tennis Complex.
 
The RiverHawks (21-5) saw their 16-match win streak snapped, while the Bearcats (21-3) avenged a loss to NSU earlier this season.
 
Northeastern State, the top seed in the tournament, got on the board first when junior Barbora Jirickova and sophomore Kristina Savchenkov earned an 8-2 victory over Mehak Singh and Lani Tuemmers on the second doubles court.
 
The Bearcats, seeded No. 2 in the championship, began to rally when No. 9-ranked Fanni Varga and Christina Zentai topped senior Martina Bruzikova and freshman Valeriia Efimenko 8-3 at the top of the order.
 
SBU gained a 2-1 advantage after doubles play when Andjela Panovski and Paula Carvajaleno defeated senior Houda Bellamine and freshman Maria Lodge 8-5 on the third court.
 
Singles began strong for the Bearcats when Singh earned a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Bellamine at the second position. Bruzikova recorded a second point for the green and white when she cruised past Tuemmers 6-3, 6-2 at the fourth flight, but Zorana Jovanovic defeated sophomore Lucia Cerchlanova 6-2, 6-4 on the sixth court.
 
SBU secured its fourth-straight tournament championship when No. 4-ranked Varga defeated Savchenkov 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 on the first court.
 
Northeastern State will now await its call to the regional portion of the NCAA Championship. The NCAA Selection Show will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. April 29 on NCAA.com.
 
Tennis Match Results
Apr 27, 2014 at Springfield, Mo.
(Cooper Tennis Complex)
 
#27 Southwest Baptist 5, #31 Northeastern State 2
           
Singles Competition
1. #4 Fanni Varga (SBU) def. Kristina Savchenkov (NSU) 7-6 (7-3), 6-3
2. Mehak Singh (SBU) def. Houda Bellamine (NSU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
3. Valeriia Efimenko (NSU) vs. Christina Zentai (SBU) 7-5, 3-6, 0-3, unfinished
4. Martina Bruzikova (NSU) def. Lani Tuemmers (SBU) 6-3, 6-2
5. Barbora Jirickova (NSU) vs. Andjela Panovski (SBU) 2-6, 6-2, 0-4, unfinished
6. Zorana Jovanovic (SBU) def. Lucia Cerchlanova (NSU) 6-2, 6-4
 
Doubles Competition
1. #9 Fanni Varga/Christina Zentai (SBU) def. Valeriia Efimenko/Martina Bruzikova (NSU) 8-3
2. Kristina Savchenkov/Barbora Jirickova (NSU) def. Mehak Singh/Lani Tuemmers (SBU) 8-2
3. Andjela Panovski/Paula Carvajaleno (SBU) def. Houda Bellamine/Maria Lodge (NSU) 8-5
 
Match Notes:
Southwest Baptist 21-3; National ranking #27
Northeastern State 21-5; National ranking #31
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (2,4,6,1)
 
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