ST. PETER, Minn. – Minnesota State tennis fell 6-1 to Division I Creighton University Saturday at Swanson Tennis Center. The Mavericks pushed the Blue Jays to a trio of three-setters in singles and junior Freia Lawrence (Mallorca, Spain) picked up a victory at No. 2.
 
“I am extremely proud of the girls today,” said head coach Tristen Bryant-Otake. “The first match of the season can be a little nerve-racking, especially against an accomplished program like Creighton. We had three of our six singles matches go the distance and we fought hard in every one. I am excited to see what the rest of the season has in store. It’s only the beginning and a fantastic way to start, regardless of score.”
 
Creighton swept doubles to begin the day but the Mavericks kept sets close at No. 1 and No. 3. Chiara Carnelluti fell in straight sets at No. 1 singles to Malvika Shukla and Bianca Redemacher got past Avery Stilwell 6-4, 6-0. Ana Paula Martinez clinched the match for Creighton at No. 4. Lawrence’s win at number two came in a super-tiebreak played in lieu of a third set after she split sets with Valerie Negin.
 
“I give huge props to our players returning from injury this season,” Bryant-Otake said. ” Hana Minisy, McKenna DeMarce and Daria Podmogilaia all played exceptionally well today and I’m proud of all their hard work during the off-season to get back on the court.”
 
Minnesota State begins the regular season at Gustavus Adolphus February 10 at 3:30 p.m. at Swanson Tennis Center.
 
Scores
Doubles

1. CU (Valerie Negin/Bianca Rademacher) def. MSU (Chiara Carnelitti, Avery Stilwell) 6-4
2. CU (Malvika Shukla, Ana Paula Martinez) def. MSU (Freia Lawrence, Hana Minisy) 6-1
3. CU(Annika Elvestrom, Allison Wilcox) def. MSU (Elizabeth Felderman, McKenna Demarce) 6-4

 
Order of finish: 1,2,3
 
Singles

1.  CU (Malvika Shukla) def. MSU (Chiara Carnelutti) 6-2, 6-2
2.  MSU (Freia Lawrence) def. CU (Valerie Negin) 6-4, 1-6, 12-10
3.  CU (Bianca Rademacher) def. MSU (Avery Stilwell) 6-4, 6-0
4.  CU (Ana Paula Martinez) def. MSU (Daria Podmogilnaia) 6-4, 6-2
5.  CU (Annika Elvestrom) def. MSU (Elizabeth Felderman) 6-0, 4-6, 6-2
6.  CU (Allison Wilcox) def. MSU (Grace Sueflohn) 6-7, 7-5, 10-4

 
Order of finish: 1,3,4,2,5,6