ITA Central-West Regional Championships Results
WICHITA, Kan. – Freshman Mariana Molano made a thrilling run through the bracket as one five Bulldogs to represent Concordia University Women’s Tennis at the ITA Central-West Regional Championships staged in Wichita, Kan., Sept. 30 – Oct. 2. Molano advanced all the way to the semifinals as part of the 64-team bracket featuring many of the top NAIA players from the region. This marked the fourth year that Concordia has sent athletes to this event, which is hosted by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Head Coach Cam Long has led the Bulldogs into action for two tournaments and two dual meets so far this fall. Concordia stands at 1-1 in dual action with the win coming over Iowa Central Community College.
A native of Bogotá, Colombia, Molano has already established herself as an impact newcomer. On her way to the semifinal round of the regional championships, sixth-seeded Molano earned the wins listed below – two of which came over seeded opponents. In the semifinals, Molano was edged out by the tournament’s No. 2 seed in Hanna Lindeboom, 1-6, 6-3, 6-7 (2-7). No other Bulldog had ever advanced to that point in the ITA regional championship singles bracket.
Molano wins at ITA Central-West Regional
· 6-1, 6-0 over Hanna Wood
· 6-2, 6-4 over Michaela Crowe
· 4-6, 6-1 (10-6) over No. 11 Isidora Hrnjak
· 1-6, 6-3 (10-7) over No. 3 Arianna Lumanog
In other action over the weekend, Molano teamed up with fellow freshman Ella Dean on a trip to the doubles round of 16. In addition, Alana Lopez Pagan went undefeated in the singles consolation bracket while also collaborating with Tara Ferrel on a 2-0 record in the doubles consolation bracket. Dean and Molano (seeded sixth) defeated their counterparts, Rachel Carlson and Camila Castro Medina, 8-6 in the doubles winner’s bracket. Also in singles, Lopez Pagan, Ferrel and Gabrielle Heiser competed at the tournament.
The Bulldogs will close out the fall this Saturday while hosting NCAA Division II William Jewell College (Mo.). First serve from the on-campus courts is slated for 11:30 a.m. CT. Concordia will look to avenge its 7-0 loss to the Cardinals last season.