FREMONT, Neb. – In a pulse pounder that came down to the final match, freshman Kirsten Wagner showed impressive composure under pressure while clinching the deciding singles contest. The Concordia University women’s tennis team is now a winner of back-to-back conference matches after squeaking by Midland, 5-4, in Fremont on Friday.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad has improved to 7-11 overall and to 2-3 in conference play. Concordia has moved into a tie for fourth in the conference standings.
“It was a very courageous effort and a huge victory,” Reckewey said. “We’re down after doubles, but we kept on fighting in singles. Kirsten Wagner was down a set, came back to win the second and then took the 10-point tiebreaker in a very nerve racking situation. That shows what she’s made of.”
After falling 7-5 in the opening set, Wagner showed resilience in winning 6-2 in the second before a 10-3 triumph in the tiebreaker. Wagner also teamed up with junior Annie Horn on the team’s lone doubles win, an 8-4 decision at No. 2.
A 2-1 deficit after doubles necessitated a big effort in singles. Complimenting Wagner were singles wins by Horn (No. 2), Katelinn Wurm (No. 3) and Katie Hertz (No. 4). Horn has been nearly unbeatable. She’s now won 10-consecutive singles matches to run her season record to 12-4.
The Bulldogs will turn around quickly and take on Northwestern (6-7, 2-4 GPAC) at 10 a.m. CT on Saturday. The match will be a neutral site contest in Omaha, Neb.