FREMONT, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis battled to the final court but came up just short in a 5-2 decision to McPherson College (Kan.) on Friday (Feb. 27) at the Fremont YMCA. The Bulldogs showed grit throughout the lineup, earning two singles victories and pushing multiple courts deep into tiebreak territory.
Concordia found its breakthrough at the bottom of the singles order. At No. 5, Alexa Richert delivered a commanding performance, defeating Maria Luisa de Lama, 6-1, 6-1, to put the Bulldogs on the board. The Gillette, Wyo., native has a 5-2 individual record.
No. 6 Nina Milic followed with the most dramatic match of the afternoon, outlasting Eva Lesteluhu in a super tiebreaker, 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 10-8. Milic’s is 6-2 in singles play this season.
The middle of the lineup featured tightly contested battles. At No. 3, Bella Ellerbee edged Alana Lopez Pagan, 6-1, 7-5, while No. 4 saw Laureen Van Drunen survive a first-set tiebreaker against Ishane Derman before pulling away in the second set.
The doubles point proved pivotal early in the contest. No. 1s Mariana Molano and Ishane Derman earned a 7-5 victory over Taimi Nashiku and Bella Ellerbee to keep Concordia within reach. However, McPherson captured wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to secure the team advantage heading into singles play.
No. 1 Molano and No. 2 Chakira Derman also competed in singles.
Concordia (7-2) will have less than 24 hours before taking on undefeated Bethel College (Kan.), 3-0, on Saturday (Feb. 28). The Bulldogs will take first toss at 12 p.m. CT at the Ward Tennis Center.