SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- In a valuable early-season test, Northeastern State women's tennis gained experience against a strong NCAA Division I opponent in Wednesday's exhibition matchup at Missouri State. The RiverHawks battled throughout the afternoon but fell 7-0 to the Bears at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

While the contest did not count toward Northeastern State's official record, it provided a key opportunity to compete at a high level ahead of the regular season grind.

In doubles action, NSU's top pair of Daisy Barrow and Renata Morales pushed Missouri State's No. 1 duo to the brink before narrowly falling 7-5. On Court 2, Sofia Kotliarova and Laura Mertens played a tight set as well, dropping a 6-4 decision. Camila de Michele and Ayla Guentekin also saw solid stretches in a 6-3 match at No. 3.

Singles play featured several bright moments, including a second-set tiebreak battle from Kotliarova at the top of the lineup, who nearly forced a third set before falling 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) to Missouri State's Lucy Latham. Morales picked up four games in her opening set at No. 2 and continued to show her aggressive baseline game.

The RiverHawks will now turn their attention to the spring campaign to UT-Tyler on Friday for its season opener in Edmond.