Tiger Comeback Falls Short as Jays edge FHSU in Fall Finale

BY DAVID JINRIGHT

In a dual decided by the final two singles matches of the night, the FHSU women’s tennis team could not pull off the comeback vs the Tabor Colleg Bluejays. Tabor traveled to Hays with ice in their veins as they were victorious in two tiebreak singles matches to win the dual.

FHSU was able to capture a doubles point for the team as the No. 3 doubles team of Aalyiah Frederick and Heidi Lubbers came out on top 6-2. Frederick and Lubbers had full control after starting their match 3-2 and cruising to their victory.

The No. 1 doubles team of Stefany Stemmer and Maria Paz Diaz started off hot, getting out to a 3-0 lead before battling to a 5-4 lead. But Tabor was just too much as the Tigers No. 1 team lost 5-7. Their loss was followed by another at the No. 2 doubles spot as well. Kylie Aufdengarten and Fiorella Mendez jumped out to a 4-3 game lead before losing three straight to surrender another doubles point 4-6.

Fort Hays State battled in singles as no. 4 Kylie Aufdengarten dismembered her opponent with a 6-0, 6-0 win. In the meantime, her teammate Aalyiah Frederick also dominated her match at No. 5, 6-0, 6-1.

At No.6 Heidi Lubbers couldn’t get anything going and lost her match 5-7, 0-6. The final three matches were key in the team race with the score being 2-2 with the no. 1, 2, and 3 singles matches being played.

All three matches concluded with a tiebreak finish. Fiorella Mendez was able to fight from behind and win her match. After dropping the first set 5-7, she went on to win her second set 6-2 and the eventual tiebreak would also fall in her favor 10-7. 

Maria Paz Diaz at No.2 couldn’t hold onto her lead after winning the first set 6-4, and dropping the second set 3-6. Her tiebreak was controlled by Tabor’s Tiana Shelton, who came out on top 10-7 and ultimately tied up the team score with the No. 1 match still being finished. 

At No. 1 Stefany Stemmer would fight to win her first set 6-3 after beginning the set down 2-3. The second set would turn out to the complete opposite as Stemmer jumped up 2-1 and dropped the set 3-6. The No. 1 tiebreak between Stemmer and Geanna Richard of Tabor would prove to be deserved. With the last set grinding all the way to 9-9, Richard would win the next two points and the dual for her team.

FHSU concludes their fall season for 2021 with a winning dual record at 4-3. They are set to resume their season in the spring when they will open up at Sterling College.

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