SIOUX FALLS – Led by seniors
Abby Seigenthaler and
Kara Bunkers, the University of Sioux Falls Tennis Team (3-0, 1-0 NSIC) successfully opened the home season with a 7-2 win over Southwest Minnesota State (2-4, 0-2 NSIC) in NSIC action at Huether Family Match Pointe.
Not only did the Cougars move to 3-0 overall, USF was able to pick up its first league win with five singles victories plus two wins in doubles.
"I was really pleased with the team's focus and effort in the win over SMSU," said USF head coach
Kevin Grebin. "Everyone really played hard today. Our seniors (
Kara Bunkers,
Abby Seigenthaler) continued to shine. It was nice to see
Cortney McCans step up at #6 and our freshman to continue to play really solid tennis," he added.
At #3 singles, Bunkers won in straight sets for the third straight match in moving to 3-0 on the year. Seigenthaler, playing at #5 singles, is 3-0 as she also won in straight sets, not giving up one game in two sets. Also in singles, freshman
Tianna Duda moved to 2-1 with a straight set win at #2 singles. Freshman
Kelsie Sanders battled through a 7-6 first set win before winning the second set 6-2 at #4 singles as she moved to 2-1.
Cortney McCans picked up a win at #6 singles in her first singles match of the season.
In doubles, Bunkers and Seigenthaler won at #2, moving to 3-0 on the season and 23-3 in their careers as a duo. Additionally, freshman
Marie Schmitz and
Kelsie Sanders picked up a victory in their first doubles match.
Singles
#1 Gabby Tellijohn (SMSU) def.
Kylie Simons (USF, 1-2) 6-2, 6-1
#2
Tianna Duda (USF, 2-1) def. Hannah Starke (SMSU), 6-2, 6-4
#3
Kara Bunkers (USF, 3-0) def. Paige Janka (SMSU), 6-1, 6-3
#4
Kelsie Sanders (USF, 2-1) def. Britney Thompson (SMSU), 7-6 (9-7), 6-2
#5
Abby Seigenthaler (USF, 3-0) def. Jenna Gannott (SMSU) 6-0, 6-0
#6
Cortney McCans (USF, 1-0) def. Brittany Soupir (SMSU), 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
#1 Gabby Tellijohn/Paige Janke (SMSU) over
Kylie Simons/
Tianna Duda (USF, 1-2), 9-7
#2
Kara Bunkers/
Abby Seigenthaler (USF, 3-0) def. Hannah Starke/Britney Thompson (SMSU), 8-2
#3
Kelsie Sanders/
Marie Schmitz (USF, 1-0) def. Jenna Gannott/Brittany Soupir (SMSU), 8-2
Next for USF will be a match on Sunday morning against Minnesota State at the Huether Family Match Pointe.
