WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women’s tennis team faltered in its MIAA openers on Friday, falling 7-0 to both Emporia State and Washburn on the road. The Tigers, who had their first spring match at Hastings postponed, are currently 0-2 in conference play and 3-4 overall.
FHSU vs. Emporia State – March 8
In singles play, the Tigers struggle to claim a win. Viktoria Mackova defeated FHSU’s Laura Jimenez-Lendinez in a 1-6, 1-6 match. Natalie Lubbers fell in a 6-7, 6-3, 4-10 closer contest with Silvana Caceres. In the three spot, Lauren Lindell suffered a 2-6, 1-6 loss to Jessica Purdy. Ellea Ediger went 3-6, 0-6 in a match against Cyrielle Peyroche and Macy Moyers was slipped up in a 1-6, 1-6 match to Karen Santiago. Rounding out the single’s play for the Tigers was a 1-6, 3-6 loss by Haley Weidemann to ESU’s Shannen Meyer.
Doubles play also went in the Hornets’ favor as they claimed all the victories over the Tigers. Natalie Lubbers and Lindell fell in a 4-6 contest to Peyroche and Purdy, while Ediger and Moyers were defeated in a 3-6 match by Mackova and Santiago.
FHSU vs. Washburn – March 8
In their second match of the day, FHSU suffered another 7-0 loss, but this time at the hands of Washburn.
The Tigers struggled in singles play, allowing the Ichabods to claim all completed matches. Washburn’s Jacqueline Engelbrecht starting things off for the Ichabods as she defeated Jimeneze-Lendinez in a 0-6, 1-6 contest. Natalie Lubbers fell to Alexis Czapinski 0-6, 2-6. Ediger faltered against Logan Morissey 0-6, 0-6, while Moyers struggled against Maria Soler Valverde, 3-6, 2-6.
The Ichabods claimed the remaining matches in doubles to earn the victory over the Tigers. FHSU duo of Natalie Lubbers and Lindell were unable to upend Czapinski and Morrisey, falling 1-6. Ediger and Moyers were shutout 0-6 by Engelbrecht and Svea Crohn.
The Tigers look to continue MIAA play with two-straight home contests March 24 and 25 in Hays. Their Sunday match will welcome Central Oklahoma for a first serve set for noon, while the Monday tilt brings Northeastern State to Hays at 10 a.m.
