With another strong showing at home, WSU women’s tennis beat Missouri University handedly 6-1 Sunday afternoon.

In doubles, WSU played fast and with purpose as they took the courts. 

The duos of Lucia Kovalova/Veronika Blaskova, Rebecca Pedrazzi/Montse Blasco-Fernandez, and Julia Schiller/Abby Stevens all won their matches by the same score, 8-3, to give WSU an early 1-0 dual match lead. 

Missouri held their own in singles, matching shot for shot. Kelli Hine of Missouri tied the match at 1-1 with her win over Pedrazzi in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it was downhill from there.

Schiller put away Cierra Gaytan-Leach at the one position by a score of 6-3, 6-3. Blaskova finished at the five position shortly after with a hard-fought win 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.

 But Missouri hung around. Rachel Stuhlmann fought her way back against Kovalova from being down 5-2 in the second set to coming back and forcing a third set to prolong the match. Kovalova would stop the slide there and win the match in three sets by a score of 6-1, 5-6, 6-3.

“It’s normal for an opponent to make a run in any sport when they are behind,” said head coach Colin Foster. “Missouri did that today and we responded well to keep our composure in those moments.”

“I struggled second set,” Kovalova said. “I started to play weak, I told myself to just focus and play my game.”

 After the dual match had been clinched Stevens and Blasco-Fernandez won three set matches of their own 6-0, 2-6, 6-5 and 6-4, 5-6, 10-7 respectively.

“It means so much that everyone we know in Wichita comes out and supports us,” Kovalova said. “It makes us feel good.”

“We appreciate so many people coming out; it definitely gives the girls a boost,” Foster said. “College tennis is a fun product that not everyone gets exposed to…We’re glad to highlight it.”