BISMARCK – The University of Sioux Falls Tennis Team (4-2, 2-2 NSIC) dropped a heart-breaking 5-4 decision to the MSU Moorhead (2-3, 1-3 NSIC) on Sunday in NSIC action.
The Cougars recorded wins at #1 and #3 doubles but had just victories at #3 and #4 singles as they fell to 2-2 in league play. USF was led by its two seniors as
Kara Bunkers and
Abby Seigenthaler both picked up wins at #3 and #4, respectfully, in singles competition. Both Bunkers and Seigenthaler improved to 5-1 overall in singles and 3-1 in NSIC play.
In doubles, Bunkers partnered with
Kylie Simons to pick up an 8-2 decision at #1 singles. At #3 doubles, junior
Cortney McCans and freshman
Marie Schmitz rallied to pull out the victory. Down 5-0, McCans and Schmitz fought off two match points and pulled out an 8-6 decision.
The deciding match came at #6 singles where Chessa Jones of MSU edged Schmitz in three sets, pulling out an 11-9 decision in the third set after each had won 6-2 in the opening sets.
"I can tell you how pleased I am with the team this weekend," said USF head coach
Kevin Grebin. "We battled in both matches, picking up a win over U-Mary and nearly defeating MSUM today. A point here and there was the difference. I believe we are competing very well considering our youth. We have good things ahead for sure," added Grebin, who has two freshmen, a sophomore, junior and two seniors in his starting lineup.
Next up for the USF squad will be another NSIC road trip as they face Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 25 and Bemidji State on Feb. 26 in Grand Forks, N.D.
Singles
#1 Jessamy Jones (MSUM) def.
Kylie Simons (USF, 1-5, 0-4) 6-1, 6-4
#2 Ricquel Ramsbottom (MSUM) def.
Tianna Duda (USF, 3-3, 2-2) 6-1, 6-2
#3
Kara Bunkers (USF, 5-1, 3-1) def. Alexis Konecne (MSUM) 6-3, 6-1
#4
Abby Seigenthaler (USF, 5-1, 3-1) def. Olivia Keelin (MSUM) 6-2, 6-1
#5 Maria Moral Carreter (MSUM) def.
Cortney McCans (USF, 2-1, 2-1) 6-2, 6-1
#6 Chessa Jones (MSUM) def.
Marie Schmitz (USF, 1-2, 0-2) 2-6, 6-2, 11-9
Doubles
#1.
Kara Bunkers/
Kylie Simons (USF, 2-0, 2-0) def. Jessamy Jones/Ricquel Ramsbottom (MSUM) 8-2
#2. Alexis Konecne/Olivia Keelin (MSUM) def.
Abby Seigenthaler/
Tianna Duda (USF, 1-1, 1-1) 8-2
#3.
Cortney McCans/
Marie Schmitz (USF, 1-0, 1-0) def. Maria Moral Carreter/Emma Zamora (MSUM) 8-6
