FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State edged Kansas Wesleyan on Tuesday (Sept. 22) by a score of 5-4. The No. 2 doubles match was pivotal as it would eventually decide the match when the teams split singles play. FHSU moved to 2-3 overall with the win.
The No. 2 doubles team of Alina Villalovos and Raven Dick battled to a 9-8 (7-2) tiebreak win to push FHSU to a 2-1 lead after doubles play. The match proved critical as Kansas Wesleyan took the No. 1 through No. 3 singles matches and FHSU took the No. 4 through No. 6 singles matches.
FHSU gained its first point quickly as the No. 3 doubles team of Haley Weidemann and Taylor Noel downed their opponent 8-1. The No. 1 team of Laura Jimenez-Lendinez and Jessica Johnson fell by a score of 8-5 to make it 1-1 before Villalovos and Dick battled to push the Tigers into the lead.
In singles play, the Tigers clinched the match with wins at No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6. Dick defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-2 at No. 4, Weidemann defeated her opponent 6-1, 6-4 at No. 5, and Noel defeated her opponent 6-0, 6-2.
The Coyotes scratched out three points in the other singles matches. Jimenez-Lendinez lost in three sets at No. 1, 2-6, 7-5, 10-5. Johnson was just shy of forcing a third set, falling 7-5, 6-4 at No. 2. Villalovos fell in straight sets at No. 3, 6-3, 6-2.
The Tigers take their two-match win streak into their final two matches of the fall season on September 25 against Doane College and Concordia University in Nebraska.