SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis team opened NSIC play with a split weekend at Huether Family Match Pointe, falling just short in a tough 4-3 battle with University of Jamestown before responding with a decisive 6-1 victory over University of Mary.

The Cougars were four singles wins away from a sweep against Jamestown but couldn't overcome an early doubles deficit. Less than 24 hours later, USF flipped the momentum — capturing the doubles point and winning five of six singles matches in straight sets to close the weekend in dominant fashion.

Coach Kevin Grebin reflected on the weekend by noting that Saturday's narrow loss came down to fine margins. "It was a tough loss — that doubles point proved to be the difference Friday night, especially while competing without one of our normal starters due to injury," Grebin said. "But I was incredibly proud of the heart and fight that this team showed."

He also praised the team's response from today. "After a tough loss the night before, the girls came out and played really well," Grebin added. "We competed with confidence and played very smart tennis."

USF 3, Jamestown 4

Jamestown secured the doubles point by winning two of three matches. Ella Hancock and Sydney Osburn delivered a dominant 6-0 victory at No. 2, but the Jimmies claimed No. 1 (6-3) and No. 3 (7-5) to take the early 1-0 lead.

Singles play was tightly contested throughout the lineup.

At No. 3, Hancock battled back after dropping the first set 6-0, rallying to win the second 7-5 before sealing the match with a 10-6 super tiebreak victory. Emma Rangel and Mylin Lemke were steady in straight-set wins at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively, but Jamestown captured the remaining three singles courts to secure the narrow 4-3 team win.

Jamestown Results

Doubles
#1: Bodil Van Zeijl/Julie Van Zeijl (JU) def. Chloe Siegfort/Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-3
#2: Ella Hancock/Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Laia Vallespí/Sydney Freisen (JU), 6-0
#3: Anna Sharandachenko/Mariia Sharandachenko (JU) def. Emma Rangel/Mylin Lemke (USF), 7-5

Singles
#1: Julie Van Zeijl (JU) def. Chloe Siegfort (USF), 6-4, 6-0
#2: Bodil Van Zeijl (JU) def. Sydney Osburn (USF), 6-1, 7-5
#3: Ella Hancock (USF) def. Anna Sharandachenko (JU), 0-6, 7-5, 10-6
#4: Mariia Sharandachenko (JU) def. Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-2, 6-2
#5: Emma Rangel (USF) def. Laia Vallespí (JU), 6-1, 6-4
#6: Mylin Lemke (USF) def. Sydney Freisen (JU), 6-0, 6-1

USF 6, UMary 1

The Cougars quickly regrouped Sunday, capturing the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. Hancock and Osburn earned a 6-4 victory, while Athena Franciliso and Emma Rangel rolled 6-1 at No. 3.

USF then dominated singles action, claiming five of six courts. Chloe Siegfort set the tone at the top spot with a straight-set win, while Osburn, Hancock, Thinnsen, and Lemke each secured convincing victories to seal the 6-1 team result.

UMary Results

Doubles
#1: Elizabete Lekse/Josie Suefloh (UM) def. Chloe Siegfort/Sofiya Janos (USF), 6-3
#2: Ella Hancock/Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Natalia Jorge/Josefa Beatrice Panganiban (UM), 6-4
#3: Athena Franciliso/Emma Rangel (USF) def. Brooke Mulholland/Anna Suefloh (UM), 6-1

Singles
#1: Chloe Siegfort (USF) def. Natalia Jorge (UM), 6-3, 7-5
#2: Elizabete Lekse (UM) def. Sofiya Janos (USF), 3-6, 6-0, 10-5
#3: Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Josie Suefloh (UM), 6-1, 6-1
#4: Ella Hancock (USF) def. Anna Suefloh (UM), 6-2, 6-2
#5: Emily Thinnsen (USF) def. Josefa Beatrice Panganiban (UM), 7-5, 6-1
#6: Mylin Lemke (USF) def. Brooke Mulholland (UM), 6-3, 6-1

Up Next

The Cougars continue NSIC action next weekend as they hit the road to take on Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji state in Grand Forks, N.D.

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