SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Missouri Baptist University men's tennis earned a statement victory Friday afternoon, defeating No. 13 Morningside University 4–3 on the road, while the Spartan women dropped a 5–2 decision in dual action at Morningside.

The win marked MBU's second straight dual victory to open the fall, as the Spartans (2–0) stormed back from an early doubles deficit with resilient singles play.

Luca da Silva Ebenriter opened with a straight-sets win at No. 1 singles, 6–4, 7–5, before Sebastian Junghanns battled to a 6–0, 3–6, 6–4 triumph at No. 3. Strahinja Radanovic followed with a 1–6, 7–5, 6–3 comeback at No. 4, and Ruslan Anurev sealed the upset in dramatic fashion at No. 5, rallying for a 1–6, 7–6 (5), 6–3 victory to clinch the 4–3 win over the nationally ranked Mustangs.

Despite Morningside (1–1) sweeping doubles play, MBU's singles lineup proved decisive as the Spartans secured their first win over a ranked opponent this fall. 

"This was a great win for the guys! To come to their place with screaming fans and to find a way to win three third-set matches showed some amazing character," said head coach Scott Goodyear. "We matched their fans' energy with our team and fought till the end."

On the women's side, Lucia Rubio and Jocelynn Carmody led the way for Missouri Baptist (1–2) in a 5–2 setback to the unbeaten Mustangs (4–0). Rubio earned a 6–3, 6–4 victory at No. 2 singles, while Carmody dominated at No. 4 with a 6–1, 6–1 win.

The Mustangs claimed the doubles point with wins on all three courts, including a narrow tiebreak decision at No. 2 where Mariana Azevedo and Rubio pushed the Morningside pair to the edge.

Missouri Baptist men's and women's tennis will return to action next week at the ITA Cup, held Oct. 16-19 at the Rome Tennis Center Complex in Rome, Georgia.