Tennis Picks Up First Win of 2012

The University of Sioux Falls tennis team split two road matches this weekend against a pair of future NSIC opponents. The Cougars suffered a 9-0 setback to Winona State but bounced back this afternoon to defeat Bemidji State, 6-3.

The victory is the first of the season for the Cougars (1-4).

"The girls played with incredible heart and spirit today," head coach Kevin Grebin said. "I believe that this will give us more confidence as we continue to play the NSIC circuit and also encourage us to work even harder in practice. We were all very excited to secure that first win of the season."

With strong performances throughout the lineup, Winona State knocked off USF 9-0 for the squad's second sweep of the season.

The Warriors set the tone early with three wins in doubles. Laura Lindstrand and Jessica Urbin topped Cougar tandem Karlee Sieve/Morgan DeLange 8-0 at the number one spot. USF sophomores Rachel Hussey/Julia Iversen were dropped 8-2 in no. 2 doubles and Dannika Nash/Caitlin Vance were shut out 8-0 in the no. 3 match.

Erin Kappers and Andrea Krueger earned 6-0, 6-0 victories to highlight the WSU singles slate. Lindstrand and Koehler also claimed matching 6-1, 6-0 wins for the Warriors.

Sophomore Karlee Sieve won the most individual games for the Cougars, as she fell 6-3, 6-2 to Leah Dahl at No. 2 singles.

USF started strong against Bemidji, picking up two wins in doubles play. Karlee Sieve and Morgan DeLange defeated Britney Greenwaldt and Kelli Christiansen 8-4 at the top spot. Rachel Hussey and Julia Iversen captured the no .2 doubles point with an identical 8-4 win over Caley Westin and Mirando Milless.

In singles play, the Cougars swept the first four matches. Hussey edged Greenwaldt (7-6, 7-5) in no.1 singles and Sieve extinguished her opponent in straight sets (6-1, 6-2). DeLange took the no. 3 match in three sets (7-5, 1-6, 11-9). After getting blanked 6-0 in the first set, Julia Iversen rallied earn her first singles win of the year (0-6, 7-6, 10-5).

"I'm so proud of the way that Julia battled," Grebin said. "She showed a lot of character to come back from a bad first set and pick up the win."

The Cougars will travel to the University of Mary on Saturday.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Morgan DeLange: 5' 6"; Freshman

Rachel Hussey: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Julia Iversen: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Dannika Nash: 5' 10"; Freshman

Karlee Sieve: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Caitlin Vance: 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Morgan DeLange
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Rachel Hussey
: 5' 9"; Sophomore

Julia Iversen
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Dannika Nash
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Karlee Sieve
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Caitlin Vance
: 5' 5"; Junior