OWATONNA, MINN. – Despite wins by freshmen Emily Thinnsen and Katelyn Nesheim in singles, the University of Sioux Falls Tennis Team (3-1, 2-1 NSIC) dropped a 5-2 decision to Minnesota State (9-2, 3-0 NSIC) on Saturday, Feb. 19.

The Cougars finished 2-4 in singles play and had a 1-2 mark in doubles but the Mavericks picked up the 5-2 win. With the loss, USF is now 15-9 in singles, including 10-8 in NSIC play. In doubles, USF is 9-3 overall and 6-3 in the league.

"I was really proud of our team and how hard they battled in long points and generally in their performance all night," said USF Head Coach Kevin Grebin, whose team will face SMSU at 7 am on Sunday, Feb. 20, also in Owatonna, Minn. "We continue to work really hard and that effort is a shining light of this team," he said.

Match Summary - 

At No. 5 singles, Thinnsen earned a hard fought win over Taylor Julsrud by scores of 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 1-0 (10-7) as she improved to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in the NSIC. Also earning a win for USF was Nesheim at No. 6 singles by a score of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 as she improved to 4-0 on the season.  USF had some tough setbacks in singles as Danielle Thorfinnson fell, 6-4, 2-6, 2-6 while Talia Janos at No. 2 also lost in three sets by a count of 6-2, 1-6, 2-6.

In doubles, USF had a win by the No. 2 doubles team of Danielle Thorfinnson and Joelle Thorfinnson by a 7-5 score. However, MSU won the other two doubles by scores of 6-0 (Talia Janos/Peyton Forney) at No. 1 and 6-2 at No. 3 (Nesheim/Thinnsen).