NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – After enduring its first loss of the season a week earlier, the Concordia University women’s tennis team rebounded on Saturday (Feb. 29) by claiming victory at Bethel College (Kan.). The Bulldogs won four of six singles matches and two of three doubles contests while taking a 5-2 team decision. The back half of the Concordia lineup again thrived.
Second-year head coach David DeSimone’s squad also owns wins over William Jewell College (Mo.) and Grand View University (Iowa) and is now 3-1 this season.
Opponents will have a challenge matching the depth of the Bulldogs all season long. Beginning with doubles, Concordia earned a 6-4 win at No. 2 from the duo of senior Kirsten Wagner and freshman Tara Ferrel. The No. 3 position went uncontested, allowing Concordia to take the doubles point.
In singles, contested victories were claimed by junior Allison Marshall at No. 3 (6-1, 6-1), Ferrel at No. 4 (6-1, 6-1) and junior Ansley Gates at No. 5 (0-6, 6-3, 6-1). Gates impressively shook off defeat in the first set to battle back. On the flip side, the Threshers were superior at the top of the lineup. They won matches at Nos. 1 and 2 singles and at No. 1 doubles.
Next up, the Bulldogs will host Baker University (Kan.) inside the Fieldhouse next Friday (March 6) for a 5 p.m. CT first serve. Last season Concordia went to Baldwin City, Kan., and earned a 7-2 victory over the Wildcats, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference.