St. Louis, MO - McKendree University Women's Tennis came up just short in a tightly contested 4-3 loss to Maryville on Saturday despite a strong start in doubles play. The Bearcats swept all three doubles matches to take early control, but Maryville responded in singles to narrowly edge out the team win.

McKendree set the tone by sweeping doubles in convincing fashion. Lena Greefs and Keira Greefs earned the 6-3 win at No. 1, while Kristina Bogomazova and Alessia Baiardi matched that score at No. 2. Ivana Milkova and Emmy Zsigmond completed the sweep with another 6-3 victory at No. 3, giving the Bearcats a 1-0 lead heading into singles.

In singles, McKendree picked up two key wins to keep the match close. Baiardi battled through a three-set match at No. 5, rallying after dropping the first set to secure the win, while Zsigmond added another point at No. 6 with a strong comeback effort.

Maryville claimed the remaining courts, including straight-set wins at the top of the lineup and a three-set battle at No. 3, to secure the narrow win despite McKendree's early lead.

RESULTS
Doubles
No. 1 – Lena Greefs/Keira Greefs (MCK) def. Isabella Alvarez/Nazli Saka (MU), 6-3
No. 2 – Kristina Bogomazova/Alessia Baiardi (MCK) def. Luana Luersen/Grace Brown (MU), 6-3
No. 3 – Ivana Milkova/Emmy Zsigmond (MCK) def. Maria Mateos Melian/Mira Vasileva (MU), 6-3
Singles
No. 1 – Isabella Alvarez (MU) def. Lena Greefs (MCK), 6-4, 6-0
No. 2 – Nazli Saka (MU) def. Ivana Milkova (MCK), 6-3, 6-2
No. 3 – Kristina Bogomazova (MCK) def. Mira Vasileva (MU), 2-6, 7-6, 6-2
No. 4 – Maria Mateos Melian (MU) def. Keira Greefs (MCK), 6-4, 6-3
No. 5 – Alessia Baiardi (MCK) def. Grace Brown (MU), 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 – Emmy Zsigmond (MCK) def. Luana Luersen (MU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-3