Northwestern fell to Midland Lutheran 5-4 in a GPAC women's tennis match played in Orange City, Iowa. The Raiders fall to 3-5 in the GPAC, 3-8 overall with two matches left in the regular season. Midland Lutheran improves to 4-6 overall, 3-4 in the GPAC.
The Raiders picked up three wins in singles play, led by Nessa Summers who won her fifth straight match with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Ali Fuerst at #6 singles. The sophomore improved to 5-2 on the season. Rachel Hermann defeated Karen Kanuch 7-5, 6-2 at #4 singles to improve to 4-6 on the year. Jennifer Gieselman picked up her first win of the season with a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Marcy Lieneman at #5 singles, 5-7, 6-4 (10-3).
In doubles, Jessica Pomerenke and Kate Mannenbach improved to 6-4 at #3 singles with an 8-1 win over Fuerst/Deanna Rezac. Rachel Hermann and Laura Starr lost the closest match of the day at #2 singles to Lexi Laursen/Marcy Lieneman, 9-8 (7-4 in tie-break).
The Raiders will play Concordia in Seward, Neb. on Saturday and close the season at Buena Vista on Monday, April 27.
Results:
#1 Julie Mineart (1-8) lost to Trisha Abbe, 6-3, 6-0
#2 Lisa Wiltjer (0-9) lost to Lexi Laursen, 6-3, 1-6, 10-3
#3 Jessica Pomerenke (4-7) lost to Kristena Rump, 6-2, 1-6, 10-6
#4 Rachel Hermann (4-6) def. Karen Kanuch, 7-5, 6-2
#5 Jennifer Gieselman (1-8) def. Marcy Lieneman, 5-7, 6-4 and 10-3
#6 Ness Summers (5-2) def. Ali Fuerst, 6-0, 6-1
#1 Mineart/Gieselman (1-5) lost to Abbe/Rump, 8-5
#2 Hermann/Laura Starr (2-7) lost to Laursen/Lieneman, 9-8 (7-4)
#3 Pomerenke/Kate Mannenbach (6-4) def. Fuerst/Deanna Rezac, 8-1
