SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Women’s Tennis has picked up momentum during the month of March. The Bulldogs will attempt to finish the month off strong on Tuesday as they head to Baldwin City, Kan., for a tussle with Baker University. Then on Saturday, Concordia will welcome Morningside to Seward for an 11 a.m. CT first serve. Head Coach Cam Long’s squad gained confidence this past weekend with a 7-0 drubbing of Hastings. That result pushed the Bulldogs to 7-5 overall (1-1 GPAC) on the season.
This Week
Tuesday, March 28 at Baker (0-4), 1 p.m.
--Location: Sports Pavilion (Lawrence, Kan.)
Saturday, April 1 vs. Morningside (9-4, 0-0 GPAC), 11 a.m.
--Location: Bulldog Tennis Courts (Seward, Neb.)
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs began the season ranked No. 5 in the GPAC (according to the official poll released on NAIA.org) and have remained in that spot throughout the spring. The favorites in the conference heading into GPAC play included the likes of Midland, Morningside and Doane. So far this spring, only two GPAC matches have been contested (entering the week). Concordia defeated Hastings and Doane got the best of Mount Marty. Only two teams in the league have more overall wins than the Bulldogs: Morningside (9-4) and Midland (8-2).
· In last week’s action, Concordia eked out a 5-4 win over Central College (Iowa) as a lead into the GPAC opener with Hastings. While routing the Broncos, all six Bulldogs who took to the court won both their doubles and singles matches. Those Concordia players were Mariana Molano, Tessa Blough, Alana Lopez Pagan, Ella Dean, Tara Ferrel and Gabrielle Heiser. The closest calls came at No. 6 singles and at No. 2 doubles. Heiser won in a tiebreaker at the No. 6 singles spot.
· Just a couple of points are all that have prevented the Bulldogs from being perfect in the month of March. The only blemish on the record this month was a 4-3 defeat at Bethany College (Kan.). Wins have come against Sterling College (Kan.), Kansas Wesleyan University, Central and Hastings. During the 4-1 run in March, Concordia has won the team scoring by a combined count of 29-8.
· Through the first 12 dual matches, Concordia players have combined to go 38-31 in singles and 23-12 in doubles matches. Molano owns a five-match win streak and has pushed her overall singles record to 8-4. Four other Bulldogs have notched at least four singles wins: Lopez Pagan (5-4), Dean (4-2), Blough (4-6) and Brooke Hosick (4-6). In terms of winning percentage, the most successful doubles tandem has been Dean and Heiser, who are 4-0 when paired together. Meanwhile, Dean and Ferrel have teamed up on a 4-2 record together.
· The contest with Baker was originally slated to be played on March 18. The Wildcats sit at 0-4 with two losses coming at the hands of GPAC opponents: Midland, 7-0, and Hastings, 5-2. As for Morningside, it has started out 9-4 and has won three matches in a row. The Mustangs have defeated several NCAA Division III opponents and are ranked No. 2 in the GPAC (behind only Midland). The Mustangs are coming off a 2022 season that saw them finish at 13-7 overall (6-1 GPAC).
Next week
The lone outing of next week will be a home battle with Doane on April 4. First serve is slated for 4:30 p.m. CT from Seward.