SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs got a look at the defending GPAC champions on Saturday (Mar. 16) at their home turf. The top seeds showed out against the Warriors, but the bottom of the lineup couldn’t get it done, resulting in a 2-5 loss. The two teams will see each other again as this match was scheduled as a non-conference bout in Fremont.
The Bulldogs drop to 6-5 overall and will get a week break to regroup before re-entering conference play. Head Coach Lisa Hart commented on team play and individuals who stood out in the dual.
“I’m proud of the fight in our girls. They showed up and it felt like we were just a couple of points, here and there, then the result may have been different. Mariana (Molano) and Charika played with confidence, especially in their tiebreaker sets. We have so much to build on from this match with Midland and I can’t wait for us to get back out there.”
No. 2 Chakira Derman fell (2-6) in the first round of play but kept her wits about her and took the second (6-4), forcing a tiebreaker. The freshman, out of Lomé, Togo, bested Lainie Fanton (12-10) in the final. No. 1 Mariana Molano faced a veteran in Ari Lumanog and the two would need a tiebreaker set after a 6-4, 1-6 split. Molano got the better of Lumanog (10-7) in the final points needed for a win.
Down 3-2, No. 3 Tessa Blough faced second year Graziela Dallagnol, and these two would continue in the same tiebreak fashion. Blough lost a tough (6-7) first set but came back in the second with a 6-2 blast. This time Midland would get the better of the Bulldogs and Dallagnol sealed the team victory for the home team.
No. 2s Molano and Alana Lopez-Pagan gave their all in doubles but fell short (4-6) in the set. Other pairs were Derman and Blough (No. 1s) plus Lauren Gottberg and Brooke Hosick (No. 3s).
Lopez-Pagan (No. 4), Alexa Richert (No. 5) and Macee Thompson (No. 6) all finished out the singles lineup.
Concordia (6-5) will take on Morningside (8-3) driving out to Sioux City on Saturday (Mar. 23). The two will clash at the Mason Family Tennis Complex at 12:30 p.m. CT.