Women’s Tennis | 4/27/2024 7:56:00 PM
SALINA, Kan. — The McPherson College Bulldogs women’s tennis squad avenged last season’s KCAC Championship loss, knocking off the Ottawa University Braves 4-2 to claim their first KCAC Tournament title since 2019.
This one is a special one for these girls and our Bulldog women’s Tennis program,” head coach Keiran President said. “Haven’t won the regular season or Conference tournament since 2019. Making back to back finals appearances in 2022 and 2023 to winning it this year, shows how we have grown.”
MC got off to a hot start in doubles, thanks to a quick 6-0 win by Alexa Garcia and Grace Maxey over Valeria Rodriguez and Priyanshi Sharma on court two. Taimi Nashiku and Camila Sanchez clinched the doubles point for the Bulldogs with a 6-3 win over Alejandra Parra Herrera and Alexandra Persson.
Garcia pushed the Bulldog lead to 2-0 to open the singles competition, taking down Lily Keimig 6-0, 6-0.
Due to weather, the match was moved indoors from Bethany College to Genesis Health Club in Salina, Kan. in the middle of the singles competition.
When play resumed, Persson pushed past Maxey 6-4, 6-4, but Nashiku responded with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Parra Herrera to make it a 3-1 Bulldog lead.
The Braves picked up another point on court five Rodriguez knocked off Vanessa Hofer 6-3, 6-3.
Needing to win just one of the final two matches, Zeynep Barut clinched the sixth-straight victory with a 7-6, 6-4 win over Isidora Hrnjak on court two.
Sanchez took the first set 7-5 against Sharma, then fell in set two by an identical score. Sharma held a 1-0 lead in the final set when the Bulldogs clinched.
“Our girls wanted this more than any other team and went out to get that job done. I am so proud of them for how they played this season, and can’t wait to see what’s next for them.”
With the win, the Bulldogs will advance to the NAIA National Tournament starting May 14 in Mobile, Ala. Seeding will be determined in the coming weeks.
The Bulldogs last advanced to the national tournament in 2019, falling to No.10-seeded Cardinal Stritch (Wisc.) 8-1.