LINCOLN, Neb. – In action for the first time since Feb. 8, the Concordia University women’s tennis team fell victim to Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member Sterling College. The match took place indoors at Genesis Health Club in Lincoln, Neb., on Friday (Feb. 21). The Bulldogs managed to claim a doubles victory, but fell, 7-0, in team scoring.
Second-year head coach David DeSimone’s squad had opened this season with 6-1 wins over both William Jewell College (Mo.) and Grand View University (Iowa). Concordia is 2-1 overall.
“In doubles the difference was a few key deuce points that didn’t go our way,” DeSimone said. “The no-add scoring didn’t help us today. When you lose one or two deuce points it makes a big difference. In singles we competed well, we just didn’t have quite enough in those key moments to put pressure on them. We need to get better in those situations.”
The combo of junior Ansley Gates and senior Lindee Schultz emerged with a 6-4 win at No. 3 doubles. However, the Warriors earned the team doubles point by taking decisions at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles, both by 6-4 scores. The Bulldog lineup featured juniors Allison Marshall and Claudia Miranda Viera at No. 1 and senior Kirsten Wagner and freshman Tara Ferrel at No. 2.
In singles, Wagner (No. 2) and Marshall (No. 3) both lost tight battles in the second set against their Sterling opponents. Miranda Viera bumped up to the No. 1 spot. The final three singles positions were filled by Ferrel, sophomore Katy Krejci and freshman Madi Smith.
Sterling began its 2020 season on Thursday by taking on Midland in Lincoln. The Warriors avenged an 8-1 loss to Concordia that occurred on March 1, 2019.
Next up, the Bulldogs will head to Bethel College for a 10 a.m. CT first serve in North Newton, Kan., on Saturday, Feb. 29.