LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's tennis team registered its second straight victory over a regionally ranked opponent in as many days as the Knights defeated Missouri-St. Louis 6-3 Sunday at the Eddie Weber Tennis Complex.

Bellarmine (15-1) has won five consecutive matches, the two most recent over Saginaw Valley State, ranked eighth in the Midwest Region, and the Tritons (7-3), who are rated seventh and 26th nationally.

"You can practice all you want, but the heart and desire this team has cannot really be taught," Knights Coach John Mican said. 

Bellarmine gained a 2-1 lead after doubles play. Junior Maggie Walroth and sophomore Ashley Jonathan won convincingly at No. 1, but seniors Mairin Cotter and Bess Fley were involved in a barnburner at No. 3 before edging Annie Hays and Janet Auclair 9-7.

"That match really fired us up," Mican said. "It could have gone either way and was never really decided until the very last point."

Missouri-St. Louis briefly rallied for a 3-2 lead after winning at Nos. 1 and 2 singles, but Jonathan evened things up with a straight-sets victory at No. 3. Cotter pushed Bellarmine ahead after a 6-4, 6-3 win over Leticia Lunge at No. 5, and Kovach locked up the team triumph with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory over Annie Hays at No. 4. Freshman Aubrey Smith tacked on another win at No. 6 after her opponent retired.

"It is great to have mentally tough seniors playing when the match is on the line," Mican said. "In true Knight fashion, these women love to battle."

Bellarmine hosts Indianapolis at 2 p.m. (ET) Friday in its GLVC opener.

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