SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs and Red Raiders were able to get on the tennis courts in Seward, Neb. on Friday night (Apr. 5). Concordia outlasted Northwestern in doubles and finished with a 5-2 triumph over the visitors. With this conference win, the team is 2-1 in the GPAC and 7-6 overall in coach Lisa Hart’s first season.
The head coach commented on the win over Northwestern and the energy the team strived to play with.
“I’m so proud of our women to get another conference win. We really tried to keep the energy high and focus on what we can control—especially our attitude and effort. Alexa Richert was a big time energy and passion driver for us today and it really showed in the team’s play. Dealing with the elements, I thought we pushed through and focused late-especially to get the doubles point.”
If you weren’t at the Bulldog Tennis Courts, you may have still heard how it was going with the enthusiasm that Richert and company brought to the stage. No. 1s Mariana Molano and Alana Lopez-Pagan defeated their opponents (6-3) with ease in their duo competition. Up one game (5-4) in both doubles sets, No. 2s and 3s were able to finish with a sweep of the Red Raiders. Chakira Derman and Tessa Blough at No. 2s, finished with a 7-5 clinching win, plus No. 3s Richert and Gabrielle Heiser won in a tiebreaker set (7-6) over Ainslie Robinson and Hannah Beckloff.
In singles, Richert continued to shine, taking her opponent, Beckloff, in straight sets (6-4, 6-0). The freshman, out of Gillette, Wyo., seems to get stronger as the match continues, winning her second set 6-0 in four of her six singles victories. Usually a primary in the singles lineup, Richert found her first doubles win against Northwestern.
No. 2 Derman made quick work of Olya Furmanova (6-2, 6-2), who had an 8-3 singles record coming into the match. No. 1 Molano and No. 4 Blough were on the same page finishing with 6-2, 6-3 consecutive two-set wins.
Others in singles were Lopez-Pagan (No. 3) and Kylie Freudenberg (No. 6).
The Red Raiders move to 0-2 in the conference and 7-6 overall in their campaign. They were led by No. 3 Julia Anderson and No. 6 Emily Westenberg. They will play Midland on Saturday (Apr. 6).
Concordia (7-6, 2-1 GPAC) looks to face Doane (6-8, 0-0 GPAC) in Crete, Neb. on Tuesday. First toss is set for 4:30 p.m. CT.