SEWARD, Neb. – The match crept past the five-hour mark as the outcome rested upon the clash at No. 6 singles between Concordia’s Tessa Blough and Doane’s Kat Johnson. With second place in the GPAC regular season standings on the line, the Tigers prevailed by a 4-3 team score with Johnson’s clincher. Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis fell short after attempting to rally back from a setback in doubles. Blough was celebrated prior to Tuesday (April 15)’s match as part of senior day festivities.
The result leaves Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squad at 14-3 overall (4-2 GPAC). The Bulldogs have placed third in the final conference regular season standings.
“We gave ourselves a chance in singles. I was really proud of the way we competed,” Hart said. “It’s hard to be the last one in Tessa’s situation, but she battled like a champion. Hopefully we’ll get another chance at them next week (in the GPAC tournament) … A lot of credit to Doane. They played a really good match. We need to come out and take care of doubles better. We usually have really good doubles.”
With her parents in attendance, the Cody, Wyo., native Blough gave it everything she had as she fought off aches and pains in a grueling three-setter. An NAIA National Arthur Ashe Award Winner for leadership and sportsmanship, Blough won the second set and was even with Johnson, 4-4, in the third set before being edged out by her Tiger counterpart. Earlier in the day, Blough combined with Alexa Richert for a 6-3 win in doubles.
Concordia fought back in singles. Richert quickly took care of business at No. 5 singles, winning 6-0, 6-1. Sisters Ishane Derman and Chakira Derman. Ishane’s match at No. 4 went final first, 6-4, 6-4, before Chakira secured the victory, 6-4, 7-5, at No. 2. Once Chakira triumphed, the team score rested at 3-3.
Like the Bulldogs, Doane’s lone league loss entering Tuesday’s rivalry clash came at the hands of Morningside. In addition to Johnson, Maria Purizaca Soto at No. 1 and Liz Calderon at No. 3 emerged with wins. The Tigers locked up the No. 2 seed for the GPAC tournament that will take place April 25-26 at Morningside.
Even in defeat, Blough showed the characteristics that have endeared her to her teammates. Blough is the program’s lone senior. Said Hart of Blough, “The way she competes and represents our program, win or lose, is something we can all learn a lot from.”
The Bulldogs will conclude the regular season on Friday by hosting NCAA Division II Fort Hays State University (Kan.). First serve is set for 1 p.m. CT from the Bulldog Tennis Courts. A member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, the Tigers own an overall record of 12-6 on the season.