WICHITA, Kan. – The roll through the nonconference schedule this spring semester continues for Concordia University, Nebraska Tennis. After dropping the doubles point at Friends University (Kan.) on Friday (March 7), the Bulldogs rebounded by winning five singles matches while coming away with the team victory, 5-2. Both Chakira Derman and Alana Lopez Pagan won their singles and doubles contests in action that took place outdoors at Riverside Tennis Center in Wichita.
Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squad has pushed its overall record to 5-1. The match at Friends began a stretch of three matches in three days for both the Concordia men’s and women’s tennis squads.
“Very proud of how we responded after losing a very close and emotional doubles point,” Hart said. “Our team was very tough mentally today with it being our first time playing outside this season. We will get some rest and look forward to competing again tomorrow.”
The Falcons, who compete as a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, took the upper hand by winning at the Nos. 1 and 2 doubles positions in hotly contested clashes. Ultimately, it came down to No. 2 doubles, where the Friends duo of Aneth Diaz and Molly Bender managed to outlast Tessa Blough and Alexa Richert, 7-5. Concordia’s one triumph in doubles came at the No. 3 spot.
However, the Bulldogs roared back and won every match at Nos. 2 through 6 singles. Lopez Pagan clinched the team win when she cruised to a 6-1, 6-3, victory at No. 4. Other winners for Concordia were Chakira Derman at No. 2 (6-3, 6-3), Ishane Derman at No. 3 (6-2, 7-5), Alexa Richert at No. 5 (6-0, 6-0) and Blough at No. 6 (by default). Ishane Derman is now a spotless 6-0 this season in duals matches. As a team, Concordia is an impressive 28-8 in singles play in 2024-25.
The win stream has included triumphs over Mount Marty, Ottawa University (Kan.), Baker University (Kan.) and now Friends. The Bulldogs will look to take down another KCAC foe on Saturday as they play at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kan. First serve is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. CT.