SEWARD, Neb. – Despite stellar play at the back end of the lineup, the Concordia University Women’s Tennis team came up empty on Saturday (March 13) while hosting Tabor College (Kan.). The visiting Bluejays swept their way through doubles and then triumphed in four singles matches on the way to a 5-2 decision. The matchup was contested inside the Fieldhouse due to inclement weather outdoors.
Head Coach David DeSimone’s squad was tripped up by its opponents three-straight days. The Bulldogs (3-3) were also defeated by Bethel College (Kan.), 4-3, on Thursday and by Iowa Central Community College, 7-0, on Friday.
“The women got off to a slow start and we didn’t have our best stuff in doubles,” DeSimone said. “But we battled and competed well in singles. I am very happy with the way Luisa (Esquivel) and Megan (Hakes) played at 5 and 6, respectively.”
Esquivel (Morelia, Mexico) and Hakes (Erie, Colo.) produced the lone two Concordia wins. Esquivel won at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-1, while Hakes took an 8-4 decision at No. 6. The Bulldogs were close to flipping the team score around. They dropped tiebreakers at the Nos. 3 and 4 singles spots, which were held down by Tara Ferrel and Kaitlin Seja, respectively. At the top, Sofia Morales played No. 1 and Claudia Miranda Viera played No. 2 for Concordia.
The results in singles were an improvement after the Bulldogs struggled on the doubles court. Tabor won the doubles matches by scores of 6-0 at No. 1, 6-2 at No. 2 and 6-2 at No. 3.
Tabor (3-6) rebounded from its 5-2 loss at Doane on Friday. The Bluejays compete as a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Concordia will be right back at home next Saturday (March 20) to host NCAA Division II Emporia State University. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. CT. If the weather allows, the match will be played on the outdoor courts.