HASTINGS, Neb. – The Concordia Women’s Tennis team came out strong against Hastings and ended their regular season with a 5-2 victory over their conference rival. With an injury during doubles, the Dawgs had to slide up their lineup and still managed to take a decisive win at Dorothy R. Becker Tennis Facility on Saturday afternoon (Apr. 20). No. 1 Mariana Molano was unable to finish doubles after being retired in her first set of play.
Concordia is now 10-7 overall and 5-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Head Coach Lisa Hart commented on finishing well and on how the injury didn’t affect the team’s ability to win.
“We finished the year out well, especially with Mariana being out. Chakira (Derman) jumped into the No. 1 spot without hesitation and performed great in the role. Beyond that, everyone stepped up and gave their all for each other today. We are proud to finish the regular season with a win and look forward to taking that momentum into the GPAC tournament.”
The No. 2s and 3s duos weren’t afraid to pick up the slack with No. 1s out. Lauren Gottberg and Gabrielle Heiser (No. 3s) finished first without giving up a game in the 6-0 set route. No. 2s Tessa Blough and Derman were able to best Sasha Richards and Paige Willcoxon (6-4) to grab the first point.
The No. 4 positive powerhouse, Alexa Richert, was unphased in the 6-1, 6-1 win over Willcoxon. No. 1 Derman was able to build on her success in doubles and continued singles to take down Richards in 12 games (6-0, 6-0).
Needing one more point, Brooke Hosick at No. 5, faced off against Amanda Skinner in her set dual. Scraping through a 7-6 (7-2) first set, the junior out of Bellevue, Neb., put the nail in the coffin and defeated Skinner in consecutive sets (6-1).
No. 6 Heiser had to grind out a three frame (6-2, 0-6, 6-2) victory to come out on top against Abby Harveson. Others who made the singles lineup were No. 2 Tessa Blough and No. 3 Alana Lopez-Pagan.
The Broncos drop to 9-13 overall and 2-5 in the conference. Hastings is in a three way tie for fourth place with Doane plus Mount Marty and, therefore has made the GPAC tournament. They were led by No. 2 Josline Carter and No. 3 Victoria Harris.
Concordia (10-7, 5-2 GPAC) will get almost a week's break before traveling to Sioux City, Iowa to the GPAC championship tournament. The bracket play is set for April 26-27 at Morningside University.