SEWARD, Neb. – In its only countable match of the fall, the Concordia University women’s tennis team tested itself significantly while up against NCAA Division II Fort Hays State University (Kan.). The visiting Tigers blanked the Bulldogs, 9-0, in a match held on the outdoor courts on the Concordia University campus on Friday afternoon.
“Playing a team in NCAA Division II is always an uphill challenge, but our girls played without fear and really competed well,” said third-year head coach Joel Reckewey. “I am pleased with the effort. There are signs that point to this being a strong team this year.”
Familiar No. 1 Annie Horn, a junior from Denver, Colo., again headed the singles lineup for the Bulldogs. Horn played 13 matches at the No. 1 spot last season as a sophomore. On Friday she dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision in singles. The rest of the Concordia lineup included Anna Kenney at No. 2, Katie Hertz at No. 3, Kayla Smock at No. 4, Alison Ebel at No. 5 and Kirsten Wagner at No. 6.
The most competitive bout of the afternoon came at No. 3 doubles, where Ebel and Wagner fell by an 8-6 score. Hertz and Smock were outgunned, 8-3, at No. 2.
The Tigers (3-2) compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. They are coming off a 7-13 season in 2015-16. Last September Fort Hays State topped Concordia, 7-2.
The Bulldogs will now wait until February for a return to the courts. Concordia and Baker University (Kan.) will go head-to-head in a neutral match at Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln on Feb. 4, 2017.