SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Tennis pushed its match win streak to nine after defeating three opponents this past weekend. The competition on the court will ramp up against the College of Saint Mary and Morningside in the coming days. The Bulldogs didn’t lose a point in the past three bouts, knocking down Kansas Wesleyan University, Avila University (Mo.) and Mount Marty all in 7-0 dominant triumphs.
Wednesday, March 26 at College of Saint Mary (1-2), 1 p.m.
--Live Updates: @cunebulldogs X/Formerly Twitter | Location: Genesis Westroads (Omaha, Neb.)
Thursday, March 27 vs. Morningside (11-5), 12 p.m.
--Live Updates: @cunebulldogs X/Formerly Twitter | Location: Bulldog Tennis Courts (Seward, Neb.)
After falling to McPherson College, Concordia has rattled off nine straight victories and only given up more than two points in the single loss. Following the 3-0 weekend, the Bulldogs are 10-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Perhaps the most impressive performance came from No. 1 Mariana Molano, defeating her three combined opponents 36-4 in total singles games. The Aspaen Gimnasio Iragua product has eight wins in the top spot this season and 32 in her career. Molano, a Bogotá, Colombia, native was dialed in when paired with Ishane Derman at No. 1s, as the two combined for three doubles wins and tagged teamed a 18-2 total in doubles games.
Ishane Derman has yet to yield a match in dual singles play, going 10-0 overall and 7-0 in the No. 3 slot. Ishane, a freshman out of Lomé, Africa, won the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational in the fall and has continued her impressive unbeaten play into the spring season. She and Molano have combined for a 5-2 record in No. 1 doubles.
In Head Coach Lisa Hart’s first year in 2024, Concordia was able to defeat the Flames, 5-2, at the Bulldog Tennis Courts. No. 2 Chakira Derman and No. 3 Alana Lopez Pagan claimed victories in singles and all three doubles teams seized wins against CSM. Against the Mustangs, the Bulldogs fell to the defending GPAC Champions, 1-6, with No. 5 Alex Richert claiming the lone triumph over Morningside in South Sioux City.
Upcoming Opponents
The Flames are 1-2 and open GPAC competition against Concordia on Wednesday. The lone win (5-2) came in their last match versus Illinois Tech in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Head Coach Mike Johnson is in his third year after serving as the assistant coach for CSM. The Flames have four returning starters from last season’s squad.
The Mustangs are 11-5 and open conference play against Hastings on Tuesday. Morningside defeated common opponents McPherson (4-3) and Ottawa University (Kan.), 5-2. The Mustangs bring back Line Jensen and Lidia Suarez from last year’s starting lineup. Head Coach Alex Struck is in his fourth year as the top man for MSIDE.
Up next
Concordia will have over a week to prepare for Northwestern next Saturday (April 5). The Bulldogs will travel to face the Red Raiders in Orange City.