EDMOND, Okla. – Thirty-fourth-ranked Missouri Westernwon four singles matches to defeat 15th-ranked University of Nebraska at Kearney, 4-2, in the MIAA Tournament Championship Sunday morning in Edmond, Oklahoma.

The Griffons(17-3) receive the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. The field will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Monday. UNK (19-5) was the top team in the last Central Region rankings and is in line to make the event for the first time since 2018 and the 12th time in program history.

Earlier this year, UNK rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Griffons. This time, Missouri Western came back from losing the doubles point to end the Lopers seven-match winning streak. UNK is now 8-4 vs. Top 40 squads.

In doubles, freshmen Tanya Midzi and Fabiana Gamboa won 6-3 at three to give UNK the point. As usual, senior Melisa Becerra and junior Narindra Ranaivo won in the top spot, 6-1.

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Becerra then ran her win streak to nine after a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles to make it 2-0. However, the Griffs won at No. 1 in straight sets and then Anais Peralta recorded a win at No. (6-2, 3-6, 6-1). The dual was clinched after Missouri Western's nationally-ranked Cristina Boj Granero rallied from a 4-3 deficit in the third set at No. 4 (6-2, 0-6, 6-4) and Maria Saez won at No. 5 (6-0, 6-0).

Heading into next weekend, Becerra and Ranaivo are 22-2 with Ranaivo at a team-best 18 singles wins in duals.

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