SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. – The third seeded Concordia Women’s Tennis team traveled to South Sioux City, Neb. to compete in the GPAC championships on Thursday (Apr. 25). The Bulldogs bested sixth seeded Northwestern (4-1) but fell to second seeded Midland (2-4) after winning the doubles points at First Serve Tennis Center. Concordia finishes its season with an 11-8 overall record in Head Coach Lisa Hart’s first year.
Coach Hart commented on the progression of every player throughout the season and how proud she was of them.
“So incredibly proud of our entire team. Every single player made huge strides on the court this season. More importantly, the way each of our players represented our university in such a positive way, is wonderful to be a part of. I am proud of how far everyone has come individually and how we came together as a team this season. Always hard to have the season come to an end but we don’t have any seniors and next season can’t come fast enough!”
The doubles squads were able to grab both points from the matches, as Mariana Molano and Alana Lopez Pagan went 2-0 in today’s total. The duo bested the Red Raiders (6-2) and the Warriors (6-2) plus No. 2s Chakira Derman and Tessa Blough were able to defeat Northwestern (6-2). No. 3s Lauren Gottberg and Heiser were going back and forth with the Red Raiders, but did not finish (3-4). Against Midland, Alexa Richert and Gabrielle Heiser at No. 3s, were down 2-5 but showed grit and won five straight games for a 7-5 victory.
No. 1 Derman was able to take Julia Kutz of Northwestern in straight sets (6-0, 6-1) and No. 5 Richert defeated Hannah Beckloff (6-4, 6-1) in singles play. Up 3-1, No. 2 Molano clinched the quarterfinal triumph over Olya Furmanova (6-2, 6-1) in a consecutive set win. Before being stopped, No. 4 Lopez Pagan was up (6-1, 3-5) and No. 3 Blough was down (5-7, 1-2) in their matches.
Against the Warriors, No. 2 Molano defeated Ari Lumanog (6-4, 6-4) and put the Bulldogs in position to make a move to the finals. Tied at two, Concordia couldn’t get it going in individual play as No. 4 Lopez Pagan (0-6, 1-6) and No. 1 Derman (6-7, 4-6) lost in two sets. Richert was battling Grace Felder but did not finish (6-3, 0-6, 2-5) as the dual was already lost to Midland.
The Warriors will take on first seeded Morningside on Saturday for the GPAC Championship.
Concordia finalizes its 2023-24 campaign with an 11-8 record and 5-2 GPAC showing. The Bulldogs will look to improve under Hart as she enters her second year as the head coach of Concordia University Tennis.