SALINA, Kan. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis has claimed the best start (9-1) in the program’s history after knocking down two non-conference opponents on Saturday (March 22). The Dawgs didn’t lose a point at the Salina Tennis Alliance Tennis Center trouncing Kansas Wesleyan University, 7-0, and Avila University, 7-0. No. 1 Mariana Molano dusted her opponents only giving up three total games in the two singles wins.
Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squad has won eight straight duals on its way to a 9-1 record. The Bulldogs pass the 2008-09 season that began with an 8-1 showing under former coach Amy Harms.
Concordia jumped out early over in the Coyotes winning the doubles point via No. 1s Mariana Molano and Ishane Derman (6-2) plus No. 2s Alana Lopez Pagan and Chakira Derman (7-5) clinched the initial tally.
No. 5 Alexa Richert finished off her opponent first (0-6, 6-1, 10-2) in the closest match of the day. No. 1 Molano would make quick work of Hayden Bellamy (6-2, 6-1) as No. 2 Chakira would clinch the team win in dominant straight set fashion (6-3, 6-3).
No. 3 Ishane (6-4, 6-4), No. 4 Lopez Pagan (7-5, 6-1) and No. 6 Nina Milic (6-4, 7-5) completed the straight set keeping the momentum in favor of the Bulldogs in the first match.
The good times kept rolling as the Concordia lineup blanked another opponent (7-0) versus Avila. The Bulldogs only gave up one game on their way to winning all three doubles sets. Molano and Ishane (6-0), Chakira and Lopez Pagan (6-1), plus No. 3s Tessa Blough and Richert (6-0) came out hot in the March bout.
Molano, the Bogotá, Colombia, native stomped out her competition in a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing. The No. 1 Bulldog has amassed a 7-3 singles record so far in her junior season. No. 4 Richert (6-2, 6-1), No. 5 Milic (6-1, 6-2) and No. 6 Blough (6-2, 6-1) all moved up a slot but delivered for the Bulldogs in straight sets.
The Derman’s joined the victory party as Chakira finished her opponent 6-4, 6-1 and Ishane followed with a 6-2, 6-0 win.
Concordia (9-1, 0-0 GPAC) will be back on the courts at home hosting Mount Marty (3-4, 0-0 GPAC) on Sunday (March 23). The Bulldogs will face off versus the Lancers at 1 p.m. CT inside the Walz Fieldhouse.