Upper Iowa put up a hard fight against Bemidji State in this afternoon's dual, but ended up falling just short of a victory. The Peacocks suffered a 4-3 defeat at the Winona Tennis Center. The loss dropped the Peacocks to 0-2 (0-2 NSIC). The Beavers improved to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in the NSIC.

UIU began the afternoon with a win in the doubles category. The No.1 combination of Johanne Vallee and Rafaela Tavares defeated BSU's Nicoleta Anestiadi and Blanca Lopez-Oro in a tiebreaker match 7-6 (4). The No. 2 doubles crew of Elaina Wall and Varvara Ogorodnikova won their duel 6-3. Upper Iowa only played with five athletes in today's competition, therefore forfeiting the final match of the doubles competition, but picking up the overall point. 

Upper Iowa went on to win two more duels on the day, starting with a victory in the No. 1 spot as Ogorodnikova defeated her opponent 6-2, 6-4. Vallee went on to battle with BSU's burger, trumping her 6-4, 6-3 to grab Upper Iowa's third and final victory of the day. The Beavers picked up victories in the other four singles matches. UIU's Tavares was defeated in the No. 2 spot with a score 6-4, 6-1. Wall was downed in the No. 4 match 6-0, 6-0 and Katie O'Brian suffered a loss in the No. 5 slot 6-3, 6-0. The No. 6 match was picked up by BSU's Lexi Leitner by forfeit.

"We may have lost the dual today but we showed amazing improvement from the previous week," said coach Denardo. "I'm proud of Rafaela and Johanne for getting their first college wins at 1 doubles after winning the tiebreaker." 

The Peacocks are back in action again tomorrow at the Winona Tennis Center. They take on Minnesota Crookston at 1 p.m. to wrap up their weekend of play.