LINCOLN, Neb. – The Bulldogs continue to power through their competition and Nebraska Wesleyan University was added to the list on Thursday (April 10). Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis defeated the Prairie Wolves decisively, 6-1, at the LSF Sports Complex.
CUNE (14-2) claims the second most wins (season) in program history (14) and will have a chance to tie next week.
“Proud of the way our team battled today,” Coach Lisa Hart said. “We have made huge strides in our mental game this season. Excited to get back to work in preparations for our last GPAC regular season match on senior day next week versus Doane.”
The growth of this squad seems to continue as the season goes along, with five players having eclipsed 10 wins: Chakira (14), Ishane (14), Molano (13), Lopez Pagan (12) and Richert (11). The program only had two double digit winners (Molano, Richert) from a season ago.
No. 3s Alexa Richert and Tessa Blough defeated Parker Brown and Gracey Smith, and No. 2s Alana Lopez Pagan and Chakira Derman clinched the doubles point with a win over Caitlin Hudson and Crystal Craft. Blough and Richert become the first pair to collect 10 wins in 2025.
No. 3 Lopez Pagan (6-2, 6-1) and No. 4 Ishane Derman (6-1, 6-1) added two more tallies with consecutive set triumphs over their Nebraska Wesleyan foes.
The Prairie Wolves showed some fight in the other four matches, forcing tiebreakers in three bouts. No. 1 Mariana Molano defeated Anna Burt (6-3, 3-6, 10-8) for the second time this season. No. 2 Chakira took out Ella Ford (6-1, 7-6 (8-6)) clinching the 12th match victory in a row.
No. 5 Richert fell in the first set (3-6) but turned on the jets from that point to take the singles match. The Gillette, Wyo., native blasted a 6-1 second set and defeated Hudson in a tiebreaker (10-4).
The Bulldogs (14-2, 4-1 GPAC) will host senior day against Doane (10-6, 3-1 GPAC) on Tuesday (April 15). Concordia will have the celebration before the match, which is set for 4 p.m. CT at the Bulldog Tennis Courts.