McPherson, Kan. – The McPherson College women's tennis team took on a pair of NAIA schools on Friday in Missouri Valley College and Baker University. The Lady 'Dogs went 1-1 on the day as they lost to Receiving Votes MVC 6-3 but then bounced back and took down BU 7-2.
In their 10:00 a.m. match with the Vikings, McPherson's top duo of Brooke and Nikki Vorhees were the only doubles tandem to win their match, 8-3. Nikki Thornburg and Nadine Baquiran came close to giving Mac the 2-1 edge but unfortunately fell 9-8 after a hard fought match.
Come singles play, it was hard for the 'Dogs to get past the international-heavy MVC. N. Vorhees took down the No. 45 ranked singles player in the Nation 6-4, 6-2 which brought the score to 3-2 in favor of Mo. Valley. Brittany Gourlay won her match 6-1, 6-2 but by that point the Vikings had already claimed victory to the match 6-3.
After a short break, the Bulldogs were back in action against the Wildcats of Baker University. After dropping No. 3 doubles, McPherson jumped in front 2-1 as the top two teams took down their opponents 8-5 and 8-3.
Holding a slim lead, Mac won the first three singles matches to claim the victory with Gourlay sealing the deal for the 'Dogs 7-6, 6-3 at No. 4 singles; the two Nikki's, Vorhees and Thornburg, won 6-2, 6-2 and 6-0, 6-1, respectively. Chandler Short made a rare appearance in singles play and took down her opponent 6-4, 6-1 while Claire Crossman breezed to a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
MC will begin the conference season next Saturday, April 4th when they host Kansas Wesleyan University at 11:00 a.m. (CT)
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McPherson College is a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member school and a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Final Score:
Missouri Valley College 6 – McPherson College 3
Doubles
1. Vorhees/Vorhees (Mac) def. Bielsa/ Gil Mayor (MVC) 8-3
2. Blasque/ Sales (MVC) def. Thornburg/Baquiran (Mac) 9-8
3. Azevedo/Fergason (MVC) def. Gourlay/Short (Mac) 8-5
Singles
1. Nikki Vorhees (Mac) def. Lilian Blasque (MVC) 6-4, 6-2
2. Adela Gil Mayor (MVC) def. Brooke Vorhees (Mac) 6-4, 6-3
3. Macarena Bielsa (MVC) def. Nikki Thornburg (Mac) 6-3, 6-3
4. Beatriz Sales (MVC) def. Nadine Baquiran (Mac) 7-6, 6-3
5. Brittany Gourlay (Mac) def. Fergason (MVC) 6-1, 6-2
6. Jelica Stamatovic (MVC) def. Claire Crossman (Mac) 7-6, 6-3
Final Score:
McPherson College 7 – Baker University 2
Doubles
1. Vorhees/Vorhees (Mac) def. Henry/ Barnard (BU) 8-5
2. Thornburg/Baquiran (Mac) def. Myers/Swartzendruber (BU) 8-3
3. Barr/Kaff (BU) def. Gourlay/Short (Mac) 8-4
Singles
1. Nikki Vorhees (Mac) def. Megan Henry (BU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Brooke Bernard (BU) def. Brooke Vorhees (Mac) 6-4, 6-3
3. Nikki Thornburg (Mac) def. Nathalia Barr (BU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Brittany Gourlay (Mac) def. Jaimie Myers (BU) 7-6, 6-3
5. Claire Crossman (Mac) def. Caroline Lockwood (BU) 6-1, 6-1
6. Chandler Short (Mac) def. Taylor Swartzendruber (BU) 6-4, 6-1