SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Women's Tennis team split a pair of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches over the weekend at Huether Family Match Pointe, defeating Winona State University 5-2 before falling to Minnesota State University Mankato 5-2.

The Cougars continued their strong play in conference action, showcasing depth and resilience in a comeback-filled win over Winona State before battling a tough Minnesota State squad in Saturday's matchup. USF finishes the regular season 8-10 overal and 7-3 in NSIC play.

USF 5, Winona State 2

Sioux Falls set the tone early, sweeping all three doubles matches to secure the opening point.

Chloe Siegfort and Sofiya Janos earned a 6-2 win at No. 1, while Sydney Osburn and Ella Hancock matched that score at No. 2. Emily Thinnsen and Mylin Lemke completed the sweep with a 6-3 victory at No. 3.

Singles play featured a series of comeback performances that helped the Cougars pull away.

Osburn rallied after dropping the first set to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 at No. 2, while Hancock followed a similar script at No. 3 with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory. Thinnsen added another three-set win at No. 4, battling to a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 result.

Emma Rangel secured a straight-set victory at No. 5 (7-5, 6-2) to help seal the team win.

Winona State picked up points at No. 1 and No. 6 singles, but the Cougars' doubles sweep and clutch play in singles proved to be the difference.

Winona State Results

Doubles
#1: Siegfort/Janos (USF) def. Ristau/Barr (WSU), 6-2
#2: Osburn/Hancock (USF) def. Thoemke/Burger (WSU), 6-2
#3: Thinnsen/Lemke (USF) def. Agrawal/Ogdahl (WSU), 6-3

Singles
#1: Lainy Ristau (WSU) def. Sofiya Janos (USF), 4-6, 6-4, 6-1
#2: Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Nikita Agrawal (WSU), 1-6, 6-4, 6-3
#3: Ella Hancock (USF) def. Clara Thoemke (WSU), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
#4: Emily Thinnsen (USF) def. Izabel Barr (WSU), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
#5: Emma Rangel (USF) def. Debbie Ogdahl (WSU), 7-5, 6-2
#6: Kate Velander (WSU) def. Mylin Lemke (USF), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2

Minnesota State 5, USF 2

The Cougars opened strong in doubles play, earning the point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3.

Hancock and Osburn secured a 7-6 victory at No. 2, while Lemke and Rangel followed with a 6-2 win at No. 3 to give USF the early advantage.

In singles, Minnesota State responded by winning five of six matches to take the dual.

Osburn provided the Cougars' lone singles victory, earning a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 3. Several matches were tightly contested, including a three-set battle at No. 2 where Janos pushed to the limit before falling 6-4, 5-7, 5-7.

Minnesota State ultimately secured the remaining courts to close out the 5-2 result.

Minnesota State Results

Doubles
#1: DeMarce/Gurholt (MSU) def. Siegfort/Janos (USF), 6-4
#2: Hancock/Osburn (USF) def. Vazquez/Sliskova (MSU), 7-6
#3: Lemke/Rangel (USF) def. Blanco-Epple/Cordeiro (MSU), 6-2

Singles
#1: Julia Gurholt (MSU) def. Chloe Siegfort (USF), 6-2, 6-2
#2: McKenna DeMarce (MSU) def. Sofiya Janos (USF), 4-6, 7-5, 7-5
#3: Sydney Osburn (USF) def. Lucie Sliskova (MSU), 6-4, 6-1
#4: Alma Vazquez (MSU) def. Ella Hancock (USF), 6-2, 7-5
#5: Amanda Blanco-Epple (MSU) def. Emily Thinnsen (USF), 6-4, 7-5
#6: Taina Cordeiro (MSU) def. Emma Rangel (USF), 6-2, 6-2

Coach's Corner

Head Coach Kevin Grebin highlighted the team's resilience and senior leadership following the weekend.

"What a great display of grit, determination, and hustle," Grebin said. "Sydney dropped the first set and battled back to win the next two. Ella did the same, showing incredible fight after losing her opening set. Emily had to grind through a tough third set, and Emma came back from down 2-5 in the first to win 7-5, 6-2. On top of that, we swept all three doubles matches. Our seniors really stepped up in a big way."

Grebin also reflected on the team's effort against Minnesota State.

"I couldn't be more proud of this group," he said. "They battled until the very end and truly left everything on the court. Our seniors will be missed — they've meant so much to this program and leave big shoes to fill — but we're grateful we'll get to see them compete a few more times at the NSIC Tournament."

Up Next

The Cougars will head to the NSIC Championships scheduled for April 24-25 at Huether Family Match Pointe.

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