McPHERSON, Kan. (macbulldogs.com) --- After seeing its first two matches of the season canceled to due inclement weather, the McPherson College women's tennis team finally opened its 2018 season Saturday. The Bulldogs won four of six contested matches against Missouri Valley College at the McPherson High School courts but lost the dual, 5-4, after conceding three matches due to low roster numbers.
McPherson took a 2-1 lead after doubles with
Brittany Zipf (Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Emmaus College)Â and
Besa Bwalya (Hoisington, Kan., Hoisington HS)Â topping Michelle Bader and Nicole Staznicky, 8-5, at the No. 1 spot and
Zoë Bouwmeester (Zutphen, Netherlands, Isendoorn College) and
Deiah Curtis (Great Bend, Kan., Bethany College) shutting out Bruna Messana and Reevaw Lewis, 8-0, at the No. 2 spot. The Vikings received a forfeit victory at No. 3 doubles.
The Bulldogs picked up wins from Bouwmeester at No. 3 singles (6-0, 6-2 over Lewis) and Curtis at No. 4 singles (6-3, 6-3 over Messana) but conceded points at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to hold a 4-3 lead with two matches remaining.
Missouri Valley closed out the dual victory with a super tie-breaker victories at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Zipf fell to Bader, 6-4, 6-7, 1-0 (8), at the top spot, while Bwalya fell to Staznicky, 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (4) at No. 2.
McPherson (0-1) opens Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play Wednesday at Friends University in Wichita. First serve is slated for 1 p.m.
