SEWARD, Neb. – A string of conference dominance continued on Friday evening (April 12) for the Concordia University women’s tennis team, which held its final home match of the 2019 season. The Bulldogs remain mathematically alive for a conference regular season title after dispatching of Mount Marty, 8-1, in their latest outing. It was senior night for the program.
Coaches David DeSimone and Javier Moreno have presided over a team that has won five GPAC matches in a row to improve to 12-4 overall and to 5-1 in conference play.
“It’s been pretty exciting,” DeSimone said. “For me coming in new this year, I haven’t experienced all that those seniors have. But I know it’s been an exciting year for them and they’ve really enjoyed being part of this team and the success they’ve had so far. Hopefully they can continue to build on that. Our sights are set on doing well at the conference tournament.”
It was a positive sendoff for the two seniors: Marlene Maier and Katelinn Wurm. A native of Bradenton, Fla., Wurm has been a four-year contributor to the program. After dropping the first set of her match at No. 3 singles, Wurm responded with a win by a 2-6, 6-1 (10-4) decision. Wurm was one of five Concordia singles winners for a team on a roll.
The five GPAC wins equals a program high during Wurm’s four seasons at Concordia. This team is playing at a higher level than any in several years of Bulldog women’s tennis.
“I think we all are on the same page this year,” Wurm said. “We’ve really understood that each and every one of us want to get those wins. We’re working towards one goal. The coaching that we’ve had has helped tremendously. They want what we want. We’ve just been practicing for that every day.”
Maier now holds 14-2 season singles record after cruising to an 8-1 win at the No. 1 spot. This will be her one and only season as a Bulldog after transferring from NCAA Division I Alcorn State University. Other Concordia singles winners on Friday included sophomores Claudia Miranda Viera at No. 2, Allison Marshall at No. 4 and Ansley Gates at No. 6 (by forfeit).
The Lancers also forfeited the No. 3 doubles match. In contested action, the combos of Maier and Miranda Viera took an 8-4 decision at No. 1 and Marshall and junior Kirsten Wagner breezed to an 8-1 triumph at No. 2.
The lone GPAC loss for the Bulldogs remains the 5-4 squeaker to first place Hastings (4-0 GPAC) that could have easily swung the other way. In other words, Concordia is right there with the top teams in the league.
“The potential is so high,” Wurm said. “This team is amazing. This team is working for such a big goal. We’re headed the right way.”
The conference season is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday (April 16) with a match at College of Saint Mary (5-6, 2-1 GPAC). First serve is slated for 4 p.m. CT in Omaha, Neb.