MOBILE, Ala. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis competed in its first NAIA national championship tournament and fell to No. 11 Marian University (Ind.), 0-4, on Tuesday (May 13). The Bulldogs traveled to the Mobile Tennis Center to face the Knights as both programs made their first appearance in the national tournament.
Head Coach Lisa Hart and company finish with a 17-5 overall record, breaking the single season win total in her second year of tenure.
“Credit to our opponents today, they competed really well,” Coach Hart said. “The NAIA put on a very special experience, and we are very proud to be a part of it this year. Being here is great motivation to do the work to get back next year. I am proud of our team for all of their accomplishments this year on the court, but especially for how they represent Concordia on and off the court. This is a special group.’
Marian took control early with two doubles wins in the match openers. No. 3s for the Knights, defeated Tessa Blough and Alexa Richert who have been a tough out as a pair with 14 wins. No. 1s Mariana Molano and Ishane Derman dropped their doubles set to Yasmin Imamniyazova and Ana Barbosa Fernandez (2-6). No. 2s Chakira Derman and Alana Lopez Pagan went unfinished in their doubles set.
No. 6 Blough competed against Paloma Caceres Villalba but dropped both sets (0-6, 0-6). Blough, out of Cody, Wyo., finished her career with 17 singles wins.
Said Coach Hart, “We will miss Tessa dearly, and we appreciate all she has contributed to our program on and off the court.”
Lopez Pagan clashed with Michelle Irigoyen at No. 3 singles, as the Knight got the better of Pagan (0-6, 0-1). No. 2 Chakira was defeated by Ana Lopez Torres in straight sets (2-6, 1-6) to take the team win in favor of Marian.
No. 1 Molano, No. 4 Ishane and No. 5 Richert also competed in singles but went unfinished as the match was already decided.
The Knights will move on to the second round to face No. 6 Loyola tomorrow (May 14) in Mobile.
Concordia will look to build on the 2025 season, bringing the majority of its roster back to the court for 2026. Coach Hart will enter her third season as the leader of the Bulldogs.