2017 Season
9-13 overall | 3-4 GPAC | Season Stats
Concordia women's tennis drops 2016-17 season opener
SEWARD, Neb. – In its only countable match of the fall, the Concordia University women’s tennis team tested itself significantly while up against NCAA Division II Fort Hays State University (Kan.). The visiting Tigers blanked the Bulldogs, 9-0, in a match held on the outdoor courts on the Concordia University campus on Friday afternoon.
“Playing a team in NCAA Division II is always an uphill challenge, but our girls played without fear and really competed well,” said third-year head coach Joel Reckewey. “I am pleased with the effort. There are signs that point to this being a strong team this year.”
Familiar No. 1 Annie Horn, a junior from Denver, Colo., again headed the singles lineup for the Bulldogs. Horn played 13 matches at the No. 1 spot last season as a sophomore. On Friday she dropped a 6-2, 6-4 decision in singles. The rest of the Concordia lineup included Anna Kenney at No. 2, Katie Hertz at No. 3, Kayla Smock at No. 4, Alison Ebel at No. 5 and Kirsten Wagner at No. 6.
The most competitive bout of the afternoon came at No. 3 doubles, where Ebel and Wagner fell by an 8-6 score. Hertz and Smock were outgunned, 8-3, at No. 2.
The Tigers (3-2) compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. They are coming off a 7-13 season in 2015-16. Last September Fort Hays State topped Concordia, 7-2.
The Bulldogs will now wait until February for a return to the courts. Concordia and Baker University (Kan.) will go head-to-head in a neutral match at Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln on Feb. 4, 2017.
SEASON PREVIEW: 2017 Concordia women's tennis
At a glance
WOMEN
Head coach: Joel Reckewey (3rd year)
2016 record: 8-15 overall, 5-3 GPAC (T-3rd)
Key returners: Alison Ebel (Jr.); Annie Horn (Jr.); Kayla Smock (So.); Amanda Von Seggern (Jr.); Katelinn Wurm (So.)
Key losses: Hannah Boe; Hailey Lemos
Newcomers: Angela Bell; Lindee Schultz; Kirsten Wagner
2016 GPAC All-Conference: Annie Horn (singles/doubles honorable mention); Hailey Lemos (doubles honorable mention); Kayla Smock (singles honorable mention)
Outlook
The 2016 Concordia women’s tennis team was made up of almost exclusively freshmen and sophomores. A year later, head coach Joel Reckewey has a much more experienced roster led by the likes of juniors Alison Ebel and Annie Horn and sophomore Kayla Smock.
Despite the youth of last season’s team, the Bulldogs came together during conference play. They finished third in the GPAC with a conference record of 5-3 and advanced to the semifinals of the league tournament. Late in the season, Concordia went on a run in which it won five of six matches against conference opponents.
“I really like where our women’s team is at,” Reckewey said. “Last year we had a winning record in the conference and ended up getting third. We have the same core team with a lot of players in similar spots and we have a lot of good recruits coming in. One is Kirsten Wagner who had a lot of success in the Nebraska high school scene. We’re glad to have her. Having a team with a good sense of itself and then bringing in her is a good step forward for the tennis program.”
Horn, who hails from Denver, has been near the top of the lineup every season during her Bulldog career. She collected honorable mention all-GPAC accolades in both singles and doubles last season and owns 22 career singles victories.
Naturally, Horn is one of the leaders on this team.
“She’s a very consistent player,” Horn said. “She puts a lot of balls in play and that makes it tough for the opponent. She’s a great leader for the women’s team in the way that she plays and the way that she competes.”
Hailey Lemos and Smock joined Horn with all-conference recognition in 2016. Horn combined with Lemos on a 6-2 record versus conference foes at the No. 1 doubles spot. Meanwhile, Smock went 5-2 in her GPAC singles matches.
Other experienced Bulldogs are juniors Ebel and Amanda Von Seggern and sophomore Katelinn Wurm. Ebel saw significant action at the Nos. 3 and 4 singles spots while Wurm played split time between the Nos. 2 and 3 positions.
A York High School graduate, Wagner sees team chemistry as a strength for this year’s group of Bulldogs.
“They’ve been incredibly welcoming,” Wagner said of her teammates. “The first time I saw someone on the tennis team, I didn’t know who they were. We weren’t even at the tennis courts, but they recognized me as one of the new people coming in so they made it a point to come say hi and see how things were going. Everyone is just so nice. It’s incredible.”
Wagner is a standout among a freshman class that includes Angela Bell and Lindee Schultz. Wagner topped York in singles wins last season while leading the Dukes to the Class B state tennis tournament.
In last season’s action, the Bulldogs defeated conference rivals College of Saint Mary, Hastings (twice), Midland, Mount Marty and Northwestern. Now they hope to build upon those results in 2017.
“We expect that we’re going to be in the hunt,” Reckewey said. “We want to improve on that. We have our work cut out for us, but we’re embracing the challenge and looking forward to seeing what we can do and pull off some good wins.”
The Bulldogs opened up their season back in the fall with a home loss to Fort Hays State University (Kan.). They will be in action for the first time this spring season when they go up against Baker University (Kan.) in a 12 p.m. match on Saturday (Feb. 4). It will take place inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln.
Concordia drops first match of spring season
LINCOLN, Neb. – Up against a Baker University (Kan.) team with two wins already under its belt, the Concordia University women’s tennis squad got blanked, 9-0, in its first outing of the spring season. Saturday’s match took place inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad is now 0-2 on the season. It also fell at the hands of Fort Hays State University (Kan.) back in September.
“We were outmatched against an experienced team,” Reckewey said. “We have a lot of first-time players taking the court. We need to have these kinds of experiences in order to get better.”
An honorable mention all-conference performer last season, sophomore Kayla Smock made the closest run at a victory. She was on the short end of a 9-7 decision at the No. 6 singles position.
The top five spots in Concordia’s singles lineup went to junior Alison Ebel (No. 1), junior Annie Horn (No. 2), sophomore Katelinn Wurm (No. 3), junior Katie Hertz (No. 4) and freshman Kirsten Wagner (No. 5). In doubles competition, Horn and Wagner teamed up at No. 1, Smock and Wurm partnered at No. 2 and Angela Bell and Anna Kenney collaborated at No. 3.
The Bulldogs will be on the road next Friday (Feb. 10) for a match at Grand View University (Iowa). First serve in Des Moines, Iowa, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT.
Three Bulldogs claim singles victories at Grand View
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Concordia University women’s tennis team rebounded after doubles play, but couldn’t dig out of its early hole and dropped a 6-3 decision at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday. All three Bulldog wins came in singles action.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad now stands at 0-3 on the young season. Concordia has also played Fort Hays State University (Kan.) and Baker University (Kan.).
“We had a really good singles performance from Annie Horn,” Reckewey said. “Kirsten Wagner had an amazing match. Her ability to come back and find a way to win was great. She was down in the first set and the whole team was watching her come back. That was her first career win.
“I would like to see some improvement in our doubles play, but I’m pleased with the way we competed.”
The Bulldogs captured wins at the Nos. 2, 5 and 6 singles spots courtesy of the efforts of Horn, Wagner and Kayla Smock. Horn was especially impressive, winning her match by a score of 6-1, 6-1, over Madison Trow. Other Concordia singles competitors at Grand View were Alison Ebel (No. 1), Katelinn Wurm (No. 3) and Katie Hertz (No. 4).
In doubles action, Horn paired with Wagner at No. 1, Anna Kenney teamed with Hertz at No. 2 and Wurm partnered with Smock at No. 3.
The Bulldogs will go up against Southwestern College (Kan.) in a match set to be played in Fremont, Neb., at 4 p.m. CT next Friday (Feb. 17).
Concordia drops neutral match versus Southwestern
FREMONT, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s tennis team came up empty in a 9-0 loss to Southwestern College (Kan.) in a match that took place in Fremont, Neb., on Friday evening. Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad will have another shot at its first win of the season on Saturday.
The Moundbuilders, a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, win every set over the Bulldogs. At No. 2 singles, sophomore Katelinn Wurm narrowly dropped the first set before eventually falling while up against Anna Mankoski.
In addition to Wurm at No. 2, Concordia’s singles lineup included Annie Horn (No. 1), Katie Hertz (No. 3), Kirsten Wagner (No. 4), Kayla Smock (No. 5) and Anna Kenney (No. 6). In doubles play, Horn and Wagner teamed up at No. 1, Wurm and Kayla Smock collaborated at No. 2 and Angela Bell and Hertz partnered at No. 3.
The Bulldogs will turn around and host College of Saint Benedict (Minn.), a NCAA Division III member, at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. The match will take place inside the Fieldhouse.
Wagner victory highlights loss to Ottawa
LINCOLN, Neb. – Looking for win No. 1 on the year, the Concordia University women’s tennis team came up short in a 6-3 loss at the hands of Ottawa University (Kan.) on Friday evening. The match was contested inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln, Neb.
Head coach Joel Reckewey’s team stands at 0-6 this season. Said Reckewey of the Braves, “They are a strong, tough and tested team.”
Freshman Kirsten Wagner defeated Ashlynn Good, 8-6, at No. 5 singles for the lone Concordia win other than the forfeits that came at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles. At No. 2 singles, Annie Horn played closest of any Bulldog in defeat. She fell, 6-4, 6-2.
The rest of the Concordia lineup included Alison Ebel at No. 1, Katie Hertz at No. 3, Katelinn Wurm at No. 4 and Kayla Smock at No. 6. The doubles teams consisted of Horn and Wagner at No. 1, Smock and Wurm at No. 2 and Hertz and Anna Kenney at No. 3.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday when they go up against another Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member, Tabor College. First serve is slated for 12 p.m. CT.
Horn claims win in team defeat versus Tabor
LINCOLN, Neb. – Tabor College (Kan.) won every single match with the exception of No. 2 singles during action inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday. The Concordia University women’s tennis team fell by an 8-1 score while up against the Bluejays (1-1), a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad remains in search of its first win of the 2017 season.
Though the team scored was lopsided, the Bulldogs got a win from junior Annie Horn at No. 2 singles and contested several other singles bouts closely. Katie Hertz (No. 4) and Kayla Smock (No. 6) both fell by scores of 9-7 in pro sets. Katelinn Wurm (No. 3) and Kirsten Wagner (No. 5) also made strong pushes before being defeated. The No. 1 spot was held down by Alison Ebel.
Tabor swept through doubles, winning by scores of 8-2 at No. 1, 8-3 at No. 2 and 8-2 at No. 3. Concordia’s doubles teams consisted of Horn and Wagner at No. 1, Smock and Wurm at No. 2 and Ebel and Lindee Schultz at No. 3.
The Bulldogs will play three days in a row next weekend. Up next is Friday’s home match versus Kansas Wesleyan University (1-1). First serve inside the Walz Fieldhouse is set for 10 a.m. CT.
Bulldogs grab first win of 2017
SEWARD, Neb. – Sophomores Kayla Smock and Katelinn Wurm both went undefeated on Friday while leading the Concordia University women’s tennis team to its first win of the 2017 season. Playing host to Kansas Wesleyan University, the Bulldogs took down the Coyotes, 7-2, inside the Fieldhouse.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad now sits at 1-7 overall. Said Reckewey, “I’m proud of the way the girls played today. They played as a team and competed really well. It was fun to see them get their first taste of victory. The win should give us confidence going into tomorrow’s matches.”
Concordia won two of three doubles matches and five of six singles bouts. Wurm teamed up with Smock for an 8-2 win at No. 2 doubles and Anna Kenney and Lindee Schultz combined for an 8-3 victory at No. 3.
The Bulldogs then dominated singles, winning every match the exception of No. 1. In addition to the wins by Wurm (No. 3) and Smock (No. 6), Annie Horn (No. 2), Katie Hertz (No. 4) and Kirsten Wagner (No. 5). Concordia entered the weekend with nine total singles victories on the season.
The Bulldogs will try to make it two in a row on Saturday when they host Bethel College (Kan.). First serve from the Fieldhouse is set for 12 p.m. CT.
Horn takes two in 5-4 loss to Bethel
SEWARD, Neb. – While competing inside the Fieldhouse for the second day in a row, the Concordia University women’s tennis team fell by a 5-4 score at the hands of visiting Bethel College (Kan.) on Saturday. The Bulldogs had hoped to carry over momentum from Friday’s 7-2 victory over Kansas Wesleyan University.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad now sits at 1-8 overall. Said Reckewey, “The girls competed hard all the way to the end of the match. The team performed well and had a strong effort, but it wasn’t quite enough today.”
Junior Annie Horn had a 2-0 day that included a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 2 singles. She also teamed up with Kirsten Wagner on an 8-6 victory at the No. 1 doubles spot. After dropping two of three doubles matches, Concordia split with the Threshers in singles play.
Additional Concordia singles wins came from Katelinn Wurm at No. 3 and Katie Hertz at No. 4. Reckewey also used Alison Ebel at No. 1, Wagner at No. 5 and Kayla Smock at No. 6.
The Bulldogs’ string of five-straight days with a match continues on Sunday when they will be at Hesston College (Kan.). First serve is set for 1 p.m. CT.
Bulldogs finish road trip with three-match win streak
LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Concordia University women’s tennis team will carry momentum into the remainder of its spring break. The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to three with wins this week over Friends University (Kan.) and Bethany College (Kan.). Both matches were decided by 7-2 scores.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad has improved to 4-8 overall with its recent run of success.
Three Bulldogs won singles matches on both Monday and Tuesday. That group includes Annie Horn, Katie Hertz and Kayla Smock. Concordia has also found its groove on the doubles court, winning five of six doubles matches this week.
At No. 1 doubles, Horn and Kirsten Wagner dominated their counterparts from Friends, 8-0, and then claimed an 8-4 victory in the match against Bethany. The duo of Anna Kenney and Lindee Schultz also went 2-0 over their matches on Monday and Tuesday.
Against Friends, the Bulldogs won all singles matches except for the No. 2 bout. Additional Concordia winners were Katelinn Wurm (No. 3) and Angela Bell (No. 6).
Horn has been on a roll. She has won five-consecutive singles matches and is the team wins leader with an overall record of 7-4. She shook off a 1-3 start to her junior campaign. Similarly, Hertz has triumphed in four-straight singles bouts.
The suddenly hot Bulldogs will not return to action until March 29 when they will play against former GPAC rival Nebraska Wesleyan. The two sides will square off inside the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln, Neb., with first serve set for 4 p.m. CT.
Horn, Bulldogs extend winning streaks
LINCOLN, Neb. – A layoff of more than three weeks did not stop the Concordia University women’s tennis team from claiming its fourth win in a row. In a match contested inside the Knight Fieldhouse in Lincoln, Neb., the Bulldogs edged former GPAC rival Nebraska Wesleyan, 5-4, on Wednesday evening.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad now stands at 5-8 overall. Included in the run of four-consecutive victories has been wins over Hesston College, Friends University, Bethany College and Nebraska Wesleyan.
“The girls stepped up in every way and I’m really proud of the way they competed,” Reckewey said. “Every match was hard fought, but we found a way to win. We never gave up. Annie Horn has really done a great job in her singles position. We had excellent singles performances from everyone on the team. It really was a team effort.”
Wednesday’s match wasn’t decided until freshman Kirsten Wagner pulled out a 6-2, 7-5 win over Victoria Van De Veer at the No. 5 singles position. Wagner dug out of a 4-1 deficit in the second set in a heroic effort. She was one of four Bulldogs to claim singles victories.
Junior Annie Horn has been on a tear. She’s now won six matches in a row after defeating the Prairie Wolves’ Torey Kogel, 6-4, 4-6, 10-4. Horn is 7-2 at the No. 2 singles spot this season. Additional Concordia singles winners were Katelinn Wurm (No. 3) and Kayla Smock (No. 6).
The Bulldogs had to come from behind after dropping two of three doubles matches. The combination of Smock and Wurm produced an 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles over their counterparts from Nebraska Wesleyan (3-16).
Concordia will open up conference play on Monday (April 3) when it plays at College of Saint Mary (6-1). First serve is set for 4 p.m. CT.
Concordia goes toe-to-toe with GPAC's second-ranked team
OMAHA, Neb. – While opening up conference play, the Concordia University women’s tennis team came within an eyelash of upsetting the GPAC’s second-rated team. Despite yet another singles win from junior Annie Horn, the Bulldogs fell at College of Saint Mary, 5-4, in Omaha on Monday evening.
The defeat snapped a four-match win streak for third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad. Concordia now stands at 5-9 overall.
“I’m so proud of the girls and the way they battled,” Reckewey said. “We are winning matches and were one tiebreaker from victory. We are proving that we can play with the top schools in the conference.”
The host Flames (7-1, 1-0 GPAC) have lost just one match all season. College of Saint Mary just barely held of the Bulldogs by taking decisions in both bouts that came down to third-set tiebreakers – Nos. 3 and 6 singles. In both of those instances, Concordia won the first set. At No. 3, Katelinn Wurm dropped her match, 4-6, 6-4, 10-4, while Smock was edged at No. 6, 1-6, 6-2, 10-5.
The Bulldogs owned a 2-1 lead after doubles thanks to wins by the combos of Horn and Kirsten Wagner at No. 2 and Wurm and Smock at No. 3. Horn and Wagner were perfect on the night. In singles play, Horn defeated Katie Golka, 6-3, 6-0, at No. 2 and Wagner topped Bria Menagh, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 5. A native of Denver, Colo., Horn has won seven-straight singles matches and is now 9-4 on the year while playing mostly at the No. 2 spot.
Concordia has two more GPAC matches remaining this week, both at home. Up next, the Bulldogs will host Doane (2-9, 1-0 GPAC) at 4 p.m. CT. The match will take place on the outdoor courts on campus.
Horn's win streak reaches eight in narrow team loss
SEWARD, Neb. – For the second-straight outing in conference play, Concordia University women’s tennis fell one match short of pulling out a team victory. While hosting their first outdoor match of the spring, the Bulldogs were clipped by Doane, 5-4, on Wednesday evening.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad also dropped a match at College of Saint Mary by a 5-4 final on Monday. Concordia now stands at 5-10 overall and at 0-2 in the GPAC.
“It’s a heartbreaking match because we know we have what it takes,” Reckewey said. “The girls battled through every match all the way to the end. It just takes a huge team effort to be able to win.”
On the bright side, junior Annie Horn kept her win streak intact. At No. 2 singles, Horn toppled Ellie Bender, 6-0, 6-2, and pushed her singles win streak to eight. The native of Denver, Colo., has not suffered a loss since late in February.
“I’ve just gone back to the basics,” Horn said. “In the fall semester I was kind of having a rough go of things. I went back to basic tennis – get the ball back over the net. It sounds silly, but it’s true. The mental game is the biggest part of tennis. I really just have to stay strong. We have a team that’s super supportive.”
Additional Bulldog singles wins were captured by Katie Hertz at No. 4 and Kayla Smock at No. 6. The Tigers (3-9, 2-0 GPAC) completed wins almost simultaneously at the Nos. 1 and 5 spots to clinch their second GPAC win of the season. At No. 5, Kirsten Wagner nearly forced a third-set tiebreaker, but was defeated, 6-1, 7-5.
Horn was also part of Concordia’s lone doubles win. She teamed up with Wagner at No. 2 for a tight, 9-8 (4), victory. The Bulldogs fell at No. 1, 8-4, and at No. 3, 8-3.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, Concordia has shown its not far off from being able to knock off some of the conference’s top teams. Monday’s defeat came at the hands of the GPAC’s No. 2-rated squad. Prior to that, the Bulldogs had won four nonconference matches in a row.
“We’ve realized that every single match matters,” Horn said. “It’s not like in doubles you can be like, ‘Oh, it’s OK, I’ll get it back in singles.’ Every point, every match matters. That’s really come together for us.”
The Bulldogs have another difficult conference test coming up on Saturday when they host Morningside (8-1) at the Bulldog Tennis Courts. First serve is set for 12 p.m. CT. The Mustangs were ranked No. 1 in the most recent official GPAC rankings released on NAIA.org.
Bulldogs fall to GPAC's top-rated team
SEWARD, Neb. – Up against the top-ranked team in the GPAC, the Concordia University women’s tennis team fell short on Saturday afternoon. Visiting Morningside invaded Seward and came away with a 6-3 win that was spurred by a near perfect Mustang gallop through singles play.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad also fell earlier this week at the hands of College of Saint Mary and Doane. The Bulldogs now sit at 5-11 overall and at 0-3 in the GPAC.
Junior Annie Horn has won nine-consecutive singles matches after extending her streak with a victory over Ons Souissi at No. 2 singles. Horn also teamed up with freshman Kirsten Wagner on an 8-4 win at No. 2 doubles. Concordia came out of doubles with a 2-1 lead thanks also to the winning efforts of sophomores Kayla Smock and Katelinn Wurm, who combined on an 8-5 triumph.
Morningside (9-1, 1-0 GPAC) responded to its deficit by nearly sweeping the singles matches. Of the five Mustang singles wins, No. 4 was the most closely contested. That’s where Kathryn Jones held off Wagner, 7-5, 0-6, 10-6.
Four GPAC matches remain on the regular-season slate for the Bulldogs, Next up is Wednesday’s trip to Fremont, Neb., for a 4 p.m. CT match at Midland (7-10, 0-1 GPAC).
Bulldogs blank Mount Marty, pick up first GPAC win
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s tennis team took advantage of a short-handed Mount Marty team and picked up its first GPAC win of 2017. The Bulldogs won by a 9-0 final in a contest that featured only four contested matches that were played out at Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad has moved to 6-11 overall and to 1-3 in conference play.
Reckewey shuffled his singles lineup and used Katie Hertz, Kirsten Wagner and Angela Bell in the Nos. 1 through 3 spots. All three produced wins. Hertz triumphed, 6-4, 6-1, at No. 1, Wagner won, 6-1, 6-4, at No. 2 and Bell won, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 3. In the final three singles spots, Alison Ebel (No. 4), Katelinn Wurm (No. 5) and Kayla Smock (No. 6) all claimed forfeit wins.
In doubles, the only match that was played out occurred at No. 1 between the Concordia combo of Smock and Wurm and the Lancer pair of Laura Cattle and Rebecca Sadler. Wurm and Smock took an 8-4 decision.
Next up for Concordia is Friday’s match at Midland (7-10, 0-1 GPAC). First serve is set for 4 p.m. CT.
Horn, Wagner fuel win at Midland
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.
Bulldogs win third-straight conference outing
OMAHA, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s tennis team has gone about finishing 2017 in positive fashion. After starting out 0-3 in conference play, the Bulldogs have won three-consecutive GPAC matches. In a neutral contest that took place in Omaha on Saturday, Concordia toppled Northwestern, 7-2.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad now stands at 8-11 overall and at 3-3 in the GPAC. Said Reckewey, “We are playing strong and stepping up at every position. They are starting to play their best tennis.”
The Bulldogs won two of three doubles and five of six singles matches over the Red Raiders (6-8, 2-5 GPAC). Winners in singles play were Annie Horn (No. 2), Katelinn Wurm (No. 3), Katie Hertz (No. 4), Kirsten Wagner (No. 5) and Kayla Smock (No. 6). For the second day in a row, Wagner prevailed in a 10-point tiebreaker. Wurm also went to a tiebreaker before claiming victory.
In doubles competition, the combos of Horn and Wagner at No. 2 and Smock and Wurm at No. 3 both triumphed. Alison Ebel and Hertz were partners at No. 1.
In addition to Saturday’s victory over Northwestern, Concordia has made victims of Mount Marty and Midland during its active win streak. Individually, Horn has won 11 singles matches in a row while playing mostly at the No. 2 spot. Horn has not dropped a singles contest since Feb. 24.
The regular season will conclude on Wednesday when the Bulldogs host Hastings (5-7, 5-0 GPAC), the conference leader, at 4 p.m. CT. The GPAC tournament will be held in Fremont, Neb., May 5-6.
Horn keeps win streak intact; Bulldogs fall to Broncos
SEWARD, Neb. – Junior Annie Horn had a fine night as the Concordia University women’s tennis team concluded the regular season on a cold, blustery Wednesday evening in Seward. Visiting Hastings remained undefeated in the GPAC by toppling the Bulldogs, 7-2, putting a stop to the three-match win streak held by the host.
Third-year head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad will enter the postseason at 8-12 overall (3-4 GPAC). Concordia is currently tied for fourth in the conference standings.
Though the Bulldogs managed to take only two matches over the mighty Broncos, Reckewey felt like his team competed well against the conference’s top team. Concordia dropped an especially close contest at No. 4 singles, where Katie Hertz was tripped up in a 10-point tiebreaker.
Horn (14-4 season singles record) has gotten really cozy in the No. 2 singles spot. She won her 12th-straight singles match by taking care of Madison Fortunato, 6-0, 6-2. Horn also teamed up with freshman Kirsten Wagner for an 8-6 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Concordia entered the week having won its previously three GPAC matches, triumphing over Mount Marty, Midland and Northwestern in consecutive outings. Now all that remains on the schedule is the GPAC tournament, which will take place May 5-6 in Fremont, Neb.
Horn, Bulldogs end season in GPAC semifinals
FREMONT, Neb. – The 2017 Concordia University women’s tennis season came to a conclusion at the GPAC championships on Friday. After a 5-4 win over fourth-seeded College of Saint Mary in the quarterfinals, the Bulldog run ended with a 5-0 loss at the hands of conference champion and top-seeded Hastings. All matches at the GPAC tournament took place at the Fremont High School Tennis Complex in Fremont, Neb.
A fourth-place finisher during the regular season, head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad concluded the 2017 campaign with an overall record of 9-13.
Junior Annie Horn will take a 13-match singles win streak into her senior season. She moved up from her customary No. 2 spot to play at No. 1 on Friday. She did her part to contribute to the team victory by earning a 6-1, 6-3, win over Christina Ternent of College of Saint Mary. Horn also teamed up with freshman Kirsten Wagner on an 8-2 triumph at No. 2 doubles.
Additional Concordia singles wins were turned in by Kirsten Wagner (No. 5) and Kayla Smock (No. 6). Smock combined with fellow sophomore Katelinn Wurm on an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles. Those efforts helped avenge a 5-4 loss to College of Saint Mary (10-6).
In the semifinal round, the Bulldogs were snake bitten by 9-7 losses at both the Nos. 1 and 2 doubles spots. Concordia then had to attempt to dig out of a 3-0 hole after doubles by trying to win five of six singles matches. However, Alexa Obermier and Kelsey Flaherty took decisions for the Broncos at the Nos. 5 and 6 spots to end the match abruptly.
Horn, Wagner earn all-conference accolades
SEWARD, Neb. – Undefeated runs through conference play paved the way for all-conference honors for both junior Annie Horn and freshman Kirsten Wagner. The two represented the Concordia University women’s tennis team on the All-GPAC teams announced on Thursday (May 11). Horn collected all-conference recognition in singles and doubles while Wagner received the award for doubles.
Horn has earned some form of all-conference recognition for the third year in a row. She garnered All-GPAC accolades for doubles in 2015 and was an honorable mention selection for both singles and doubles as a sophomore last season. This past season, the native of Denver, Colo., went 6-0 in GPAC singles matches and also 6-0 in GPAC doubles contests while playing alongside Wagner. Horn’s 15-4 overall record (13-2 at No. 2) represented the best mark on the team. Horn has won 28 singles matches in her collegiate career.
A York, Neb., native, Wagner seved head coach Joel Reckewey’s squad as an impact newcomer. She and Horn posted an 11-8 overall doubles mark (tops on the team) at the No. 2 spot. In singles play, Wagner went 9-10 (mostly at No. 5) during her first season with the Bulldogs.