FREMONT, Neb. – With a chance for Concordia to grab a shorter trip to face Baker University (Kan.), the Bulldogs traveled to the Fremont Family YMCA on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 10). CUNE took full advantage of the Wildcats for a 6-1 victory in their third dual of the season. Mariana Molano continued to dominate in No. 2 singles over the weekend, as Tessa Blough and Chakira Derman went undefeated as a pair, following wins against Mount Marty and Baker.
Concordia has claimed back to back victories for a 2-1 overall record. Head Coach Lisa Hart commented on how proud she was to see consistency over the two days.
“I’m proud of how the girls performed. Tessa and Chakira played extremely well in their doubles match. Mariana and Alana have continued to be very solid in singles. We look forward to more competition and are pushing to grow as a team throughout the year.”
With No. 3 doubles open, Blough and Derman continued to collect games, leading to a 6-1 dominant set. The Bulldogs were up early, after seizing the doubles point and the Wildcats, having No. 5 and No. 6 slots open in singles.
No. 2 Molano worked through Ciarra McWilliams with ease (6-0, 6-2), collecting two victories over the two days, while only giving up two games in the matches. The record leader, out of Columbia, from last season has picked up where she left off and now has 15 dual singles career wins.
Lopez-Pagan dissected her opponent early and defeated Jordan Grabst (6-2, 6-1) at No. 4. Blough at No. 3, blanked her opponent (6-0) in the first set and kept the pressure on in the second, as the opponent retired the win (3-1) to her in the second.
In a tough battle at No. 1, Derman fell in the first set (4-6) to Suri Gomez but showed her grit, winning in the second, 7-6. Gomez was able to take the only Wildcat victory in the tiebreaker set.
Baker stays winless (0-8) on the year but will face the GPAC’s Hastings tomorrow (Feb. 11) to seek its first team victory.
Concordia (2-1) will continue its road stretch against Ottawa University (1-1) on Friday (Feb. 16). The Bulldogs and Braves will step on the courts in Lawrence, Kan. at noon CT.