Springfield Standard

Missouri State University's women's tennis team participated in the ITA Regionals held in Norman, Oklahoma, from Thursday to Saturday. The event is one of eight regional tournaments sponsored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association each fall, with top performers advancing to sectional championships scheduled for November 6-9.

During the tournament, Missouri State's Lucy Latham competed in the main singles draw but was eliminated in the round of 64 by Nebraska's Conley Raidt, 1-6, 4-6. In a consolation match, Latham faced Wichita State's Tatyana Nikolenko and lost 6-2, 6-4.

Three other Bears—Matilde Ercoli, Raluca Puscas, and Billur Gonlusen—entered the qualifying singles draw. Ercoli was defeated by Tulsa's Alice Baba in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6. Puscas lost her opening match to Kansas State's Martaa Chogsomjav, 1-6, 1-6. Gonlusen played a close match against Iowa's Nikita Vishwase but ultimately lost 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (5-7).

In consolation matches within the qualifying draw, Gonlusen secured Missouri State's only win of the weekend by defeating Drake's Jordan Dookie, 7-5, 6-2.

The Bears also entered two doubles teams at the tournament. Latham and Gonlusen were defeated by Minnesota's Anali Kocevar and Mia Liepert in the round of 64, 8-3. The pair of Puscas and Ercoli lost to Drake's Maja Dodik and Jordane Dookie, 8-2. Both doubles teams also fell in their respective consolation-round matches.

Missouri State will conclude its fall schedule on October 25 with dual matches at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois.