Bulldog men down Prairie Wolves; Meisinger remains perfect in GPAC play

LINCOLN, Neb. – In men’s and women’s tennis action hosted by Nebraska Wesleyan, the Bulldog men claimed a 6-3 victory while the women fell for the first time in conference play, dropping an identical 6-3 decision on Tuesday evening in Lincoln, Neb. The Bulldog men won despite the absence of No. 1 player Javier Moreno. Meanwhile, freshman Emily Meisinger stayed perfect at No. 4 singles since the start of GPAC action.

Head coach Joel Reckewey’s squads now sport overall records of 3-6 (1-2 GPAC) on the men’s side and 2-8 (2-1 GPAC) on the women’s side.

Junior Daniel Apacible, who played up a spot for the second-straight match, got victories at No. 1 singles (6-3, 6-3) and at No. 1 doubles (8-1), along with partner Brendan Buchanan. Reckewey liked the way his team rose to the occasion with several guys competing in unfamiliar positions.

“Our men really stepped up being down a team member,” Reckewey said. “They were called upon to move up and play at higher positions. They came to play and performed very well.”

Three other Bulldogs claimed singles victories: senior Jonathan Douglas (5-7, 7-6, 10-3 at No. 3), Buchanan (7-5, 6-2) at No. 4 and sophomore Philip Yox (6-2, 6-0). In addition, Douglas and freshman Preston Rupple paired on an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles in helping take down the Prairie Wolves (2-16, 0-3 GPAC).

The biggest highlight on the women’s side was the play of Meisinger, who improved to 3-0 in conference singles matches and 7-3 overall. The native of York, Neb., breezed to a 6-0, 6-2 win over Jaime Bridges.

“I’m really proud of Emily. She just keeps winning,” Reckewey said. “I thought the other girls competed really well. Hannah (Boe) got her first conference win, which was good to see.”

First-place Nebraska Wesleyan (9-9, 4-0 GPAC) won four of six singles matches and two of three doubles matches. The Bulldog combo of Meisinger and senior Elyse Kohl clipped Bridges and Jennifer Heywood for a 9-7 win at No. 2 doubles.

The week on the road continues on Wednesday when the Bulldogs take on NCAA Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney in a men’s and women’s doubleheader set for a 4 p.m. first serve in Kearney. The Loper men are 17-2 overall while the women are 17-4.