KEARNEY, Neb. – No. 8-ranked
Midwestern State won its first of three dual matches on a weekend road trip with a 4-3 victory over Nebraska Kearney on Friday afternoon at Ernest Grundy Tennis Center.
Selin Sepken, ranked No. 10 in the nation and No. 1 in the region, clinched the win for the Mustangs with a 6-2, 6-2, triumph at No. 1 singles. Sepken gave the Mustangs an insurmountable 4-1 lead with the win over Patricija Cechanaviciute, a freshman from Lithuania ranked No. 12 in the region.
Midwestern State improved to 2-0, and Nebraska Kearney slipped to 2-2 to start the season.
Sepkin and
Emilia Gyorgy posted a dominant 6-0 win over Hannah Klaiber and Julia Wartecka at No. 1 doubles.
Camila Garcia and
Jasmine Crain secured the point with a 6-1 victory over Fabiana Gamboa and Clare Plachy at No. 2 doubles.
Garcia put Midwestern State up 2-0 in the dual with 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of Wartecka at No. 3 singles, and
Alessia Dolce continued her recent form with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Valentina Zamora at No. 5 singles, putting the Lopers on the brink of defeat.
Hannah Klaiber kept hope alive for UNK with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over
Mala Krzanic-Sullivan at No. 6 singles, but Sepken was too strong at No. 1 singles for the Mustangs to fall.
Crain was narrowly defeated by Plachy in a match tiebreak at No. 6 singles, 2-6, 6-2, 8-10, and Gyorgy lost a close battle with Gamboa at No. 2 singles in a match tiebreak, 7-6 (3), 4-6, 8-10.
Midwestern State faces Rockhurst at Ernest Grundy Tennis Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. before traveling to Topeka, Kansas, for a dual match with No. 11-ranked Washburn at noon on Sunday.
-- MSUMustangs.com --
