SEWARD, Neb. – An improved Morningside squad spoiled a pleasant and sunny Saturday (April 1) afternoon on the Bulldog Tennis Courts. The visiting Mustangs took five of six singles and two of three doubles matches on their way to a 6-1 victory. As a positive for the Concordia University Women’s Tennis team, sophomore Tessa Blough emerged victorious in both doubles and singles.
Head Coach Cam Long’s squad went 5-1 during the month of March before opening April against one of the GPAC favorites. The Bulldogs have dipped to 8-6 overall (1-1 GPAC).
Morningside went up 4-0 in the team scoring before Blough put an end to the shutout bid. The sophomore from Cody, Wyo., won a close one over Emily Clotfelter at No. 2, 7-5, 6-4. That was the only singles contest the Mustangs would surrender. In compelling drama at the No. 1 spot, Morningside’s Jil Hellerforth held off Mariana Molano, 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (9). The final four spots in Concordia’s lineup (in order) featured Alana Lopez Pagan, Ella Dean, Tara Ferrel and Brooke Hosick.
All three doubles matches ended in 6-3 final scores. The Mustangs took the team point while coming out on top at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. Blough teamed up with Lopez Pagan on the victory at No. 1. The other Bulldog doubles combos were made up of Ferrel and Molano at No. 2 and Dean and Heiser at No. 3.
Morningside (10-4, 1-0 GPAC) was ranked No. 2 in the latest official GPAC poll. The Mustangs backed that ranking up on Saturday while pushing their win streak to four. Morningside went 6-1 in league play in 2022.
GPAC action will continue on Tuesday when the Bulldogs will welcome rival Doane (6-10, 2-0 GPAC) to town for a 4:30 p.m. CT first serve. Concordia will attempt to reverse last year’s result when it was defeated by the Tigers, 6-1, in Crete.