Historic Run Ends in KCAC Semis for Women’s Tennis
Salina, Kan. – A historic run for the women's tennis team ended Friday in the KCAC Tournament Semifinal round. This is just the second time the Lady Warriors have made the tournament since the resurgence of the program in 2017. The only other appearance happened in the spring of 2021. This is the first time that Sterling has one a postseason match since they have returned to action, and the best record the team has recorded in the same stretch, outside of the COVID-shortened 2020 season when the Lady Warriors went undefeated, but played just three matches.
In the Quarterfinal round the Lady Warriors played the Bethany College Swedes and won the match 4-0. This was the first postseason win for this program since returning to action in 2017. With weather in the area, all tournament matches were moved inside at Genesis Health Clubs in Salina. With the arrangements with Genesis, games were played only until the clinching point was earned and the next set of matches began their warmups, thus the reason for just four points scored instead of the typical seven in KCAC play. The Lady Warriors won the doubles point and then swept the first three matches of singles competition. The results are below.
Singles
Sofia Tominaga (SC) def. Castillo Paz (BC) (6-3, 6-1)
Ana Alvarez (SC) def. Metro (BC) (7(7)-6(4)- 6-4)
Nadia Margaritov (SC) def. Mistereck (BC) (6-2, 6-1)
Rachel Carlson, Natalia Antkowiak, and Giovana Gaboardi each started their matches but did not complete them once the match was clinched.
Doubles
Tominaga/Alvarez (SC) def. Castillo Paz/Mistereck (BC) 6-1
Carlson/Margaritov (SC) def. Marquez/Gregory (BC) 6-1
Antkowiak and Gaboardi started their doubles match but did not complete it with the doubles point already being secured.
The Semifinal matchup was an anticipated one verses Ottawa University. Last fall, Sterling finished second at the KCAC Championships over Ottawa. In the spring regular season, Ottawa defeated Sterling in convincing fashion. The final meeting was this matchup in the KCAC Semifinals with an NAIA tournament birth on the line. Sterling lost 4-0, but the match was much closer than a shutout score.
No. 1 and No. 2 doubles both went to tiebreak to determine the winner. Ottawa ended up with the doubles point. The turning point happened in No. 1 singles when Tominaga, who won her first set, had to retire her match due to injury. The rest of the Lady Warriors played competitive first sets, before falling short in their second sets. Below are complete match results.
Singles
Sharma (OU) def. Tominaga (SC) (4-6, 2-1) RET
Alvarez and Hrnjak did not complete their match.
Persson (OU) def. Margaritov (SC) (7-5, 6-0)
Parra Herrera (OU) def. Carlson (SC) (6-4,6-2)
The final two singles matches were not necessary.
Doubles
Parra Herrere/Persson (OU) def. Tominaga/Alvarez (SC) 7(7)-6(5)
Margaritov/Carlson (SC) def. Rodriguez/Sharma (OU) 7(7)-6(2)
Hrnjak/Keimig (OU) def. Antkowiak/Gaboardi (SC) 6-2
The Lady Warriors finished their season with a 14-4 record and were 8-3 in the KCAC regular season. There is a lot to look forward to as much of this team is anticipated to return next fall. Add a few new faces to the lineup and it should be another exciting season of Sterling College Tennis.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
