The Illinois Springfield women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision Sunday to Drury at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Mo. The Prairie Stars battled in several competitive matches but were unable to turn key moments in their favor.

Drury claimed the doubles point, winning two of the three matches. At No. 1, Ema Norma Bordean and Niamh Grogan fell 6-4, while Maria Garcia Gama and Alisha Deogaonkar dropped a 6-3 decision at No. 2. UIS picked up a win at No. 3, where Jane Carter and Cristina Mendoza Romero earned a 6-2 victory.

In singles play, UIS secured its lone point at No. 6. Garcia Gama delivered a strong performance with a 6-2, 6-1 win.

At the top of the lineup, Bordean fell 6-2, 6-1. Mendoza Romero was edged in three sets at No. 2, falling 1-6, 6-2, 6-4. Grogan dropped a 6-1, 6-4 decision at No. 3, and Deogaonkar was defeated 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4. Carter battled at No. 5 but came up short in a third-set tiebreak, 6-0, 0-6, [10-2].

Head coach Henrique Leal said, "Our women's team keeps developing and growing every match we play. Doubles once again came down to the wire. Cristina and Jane have been a bright spot at No. 3, and they were once again able to come out on top."

"Our young core showed really good fight. Freshmen Maria Garcia Gama, Jane Carter, and Alisha Deogaonkar all had very close matches. Maria was able to dominate her match at No. 6, and both Alisha and Jane kept fighting after starting behind. Jane came back strong and won her second set after dropping the first, and Alisha started her match down 5-0 before adjusting her strategy and playing much better to stay competitive against a very strong opponent. Our team is looking stronger every day, and we are playing better each match."

Up Next
UIS will remain in Springfield, Mo., to face Evangel on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Cooper Tennis Complex.