SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. - Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis defeated College of Saint Mary (4-0) and Doane (4-1) on Friday (April 25) to move on to the GPAC tournament finals. The Bulldogs defeated two in-state foes to break the team win record (16) at First Serve Tennis Center. Ishane Derman added to the titles topped, as she won her 18th singles match this year.
CUNE (16-4) will face GPAC Champion Morningside in tomorrow's finals.
“I’m so proud of the girls,” Head Coach Lisa Hart said. “We feel like we have a great team, and we wanted this one, especially after we lost to Doane at the end of the season. Everyone was giving their best, and we came out with a big momentum swing in the doubles point. All of the girls made me proud, just seeing the growth throughout the year pay off. The team will have a short time to recover, but we will be ready to go for the championship tomorrow.”
With about four singles matches on the verge of finishing at the same time, No. 5 Alexa Richert put the contest to bed versus Doane, clinching the fourth and final point over Grace Schroller (6-4, 6-1). No. 2 Chakira Derman finished just before with a 6-3, 6-2 straight set victory against Mariana Espinosa. The Lomé, Africa, native has totaled a 16-3 impressive showing in her sophomore campaign.
No. 4 Ishane jumped out with a vengeance clobbering Isabella Castillero (6-0, 6-2) in the first singles triumph for the Dawgs. She eclipses Marlene Maier (2018-19) for the record and has an 18-1 showing in her first season.
In the first match against the Tigers just 10 days ago, the Tigers won the doubles point, but Concordia seized the early momentum mark this time. No. 3s Tessa Blough and Richert teamed up for a 6-1 victory and No. 2s Chakira and Alana Lopez Pagan followed (6-2) to clinch it.
Against the Flames, the Dawgs came out barking as Blough and Richert won over CSM (6-0). Chakira and Lopez Pagan clinched doubles (6-2) going 2-0 in paired play. No. 3s Blough and Richert lead the team with 13 victories as a duo.
With No. 6 Blough winning through default, No. 5 Richert kept the bagels hot with a double (6-0, 6-0) over Darece Van Auken. Ishane clinched the match, defeating Miranda Swanson (6-0, 6-3).
No. 4 Lopez Pagan went unfinished in both singles matches to stop the teams after four points were reached. No. 1 Mariana Molano went unfinished in singles versus CSM.
Concordia (16-4) will clash with No. 1 seed Morningside (18-5) tomorrow (April 26) at the Mason Family Tennis Complex. The first toss is set for 1:30 p.m. CT. The Mustangs defeated the Bulldogs (4-3) in the regular season dual.