Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BEMIDJI, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls Tennis Team (2-2, 2-2 NSIC) rebounded from two early season losses by sweeping Bemidji State (4-3, 1-2), 4-1, and Minnesota Crookston (0-4, 0-3 NSIC) at the Gillett Wellness Center on Saturday.

After falling to MSU Moorhead (7-0) and U-Mary (4-3) in the opening weekend, the Cougars won eight-of-nine singles matches and five-of-six doubles matches in the two matches. With the sweep, USF now is 11-11 in singles matches and improved to 5-6 in doubles.

"We had a really good weekend," said USF Head Coach Kevin Grebin. "We are back to .500 after a slow start and it was good to see the team playing with so much confidence and energy. Everyone was able to get out on the court and contribute to these team victories," added Grebin, whose team will play at Winona State on Feb. 23 and also meet Upper Iowa on Feb. 23 in Winona, Minn.

Sophomore Chloe Jefferies (1-2), who is the NSIC Player to Watch for USF, picked up a win at No. 1 singles against BSU with a straight set verdict over Zoe Lingren, 6-0, 6-1. She is now 15-6 in singles in her career.

At No. 2 singles, Megan Quandt continued a solid start to the season by picking up a win against BSU and improving to 2-1 on the season with a three-set win (6-3, 4-6, 6-1, Ariadna Lopez). Joelle Thorfinnson is also 2-1 on the season with a straight set, 6-4, 6-3 decision over Breann Walsh at No. 5 singles. Against BSU, the No. 4 and No. 6 singles matches were not completed due to injury.

In doubles, Jefferies and Quandt teamed up for the first time this year and won in a tiebreaker against BSU, 7-6 (7-4). USF also had a win at No. 3 doubles against BSU with Kelsie Sanders and Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto defeating Hanna Peterson and Hannah Alme, 7-5. Thorfinnson and Lexi Miller lost in a tiebreaker at No. 2 doubles.

Against UMC, USF Head Coach Kevin Grebin changed the lineup, starting several players for the first time.  In the 6-1 decision, USF won four singles matches, had a forfeit and took the two doubles matches. Playing No. 1 singles for the first time at USf, Sanders improved to 1-1 on the season with a straight set victory over Ashley Smith of UMC, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 3 freshman Emily Applegate opened with her first career win by defeating Diane Cilengi of UMC. Brianna Whisler also won her first-ever singles match with a 6-0, 6-0 verdict against Hannah Zhao of UMC. USF also had a first singles win from Tiffany Ross, who defeated Karli Renney of UMC, 6-0, 6-0. 

In the UMC match, USF also picked up two doubles wins as Rachel Klatt and Applegate won at No. 1 singles against Smith and Cilengi, 7-5. At No. 2 doubles, Ross and Whistler competed as a tandem for the first time and captured a 6-1 win over Zhao and Hanna Ruckheim.

USF 4 Bemidji State 1
Singles -

1. Chloe Jefferies (USF) def. Zoe Lindgren (BSU), 6-0, 6-1

2. Megan Quandt (USF) def. Ariadna Lopez (BSU), 6-3, 4-6, 6-1

3. Hannah Alme (BSU) over Lexi Miller (USF), 6-4, 6-1

4. Brooke Mimmack (BSU) vs. Ambrosio-Cueto, V (USF) 6-2, 6-7, 9-9, unfinished

5. Joelle Thorfinnson (USF) over. Breann Walsh (BSU), 6-4, 6-3

6. Hannah Peterson (BSU) vs. Kelsie Sanders (USF) 4-5, unfinished

Doubles 1. Jefferies/Quandt (USF) def. Lindgren/ Lopez (BSU) 7-6, 7-4

2. Brooke Mimmack/Breann Walsh (BSU) def. Miller/Thorfinnson (USF) 7-6, 7-3

3. Kelsie Sanders/Victoria Ambrosio-Cueto (USF) def. Hannah Peterson/Hannah Alme (BSU) 7-5

USF 6 Minnesota Crookston 1
Singles

1. Kelsie Sanders (USF) def. Ashley Smith (UMC), 6-0, 6-0

2. USF won by forfeit.

3. Emily Applegate (USF) def. Diane Cilengi (UMC), 6-0, 6-1

4. Brianna Whisler (USF) def. Hannah Zhao (UMC), 6-0, 6-0

5. Tiffany Ross (USF) def. Karli Renney (UMC), 6-0, 6-0

6. UMC won by forfeit

Doubles   1. Rachel Klatt/Applegate (USF) def. Smith/Cilengi (UMC), 7-5

2. Ross/Whisler (USF) def. Zhao/Hanna Ruckheim (UMC), 6-1