Northwestern to Play Concordia in First Round Match

The Event... The Northwestern College women's tennis team will play in the upcoming six-team GPAC postseason tournament beginning Friday, May 7, in Fremont, Neb. The Red Raiders are the sixth seed with a 3-10 record while Concordia, the third seed, is 9-6 heading into the championship. The match will begin at 2:00 pm on Friday and will be played at the Fremont High School courts. The winner advances to face No. 2 Nebraska Wesleyan (7-1) in the semifinals on Saturday at 10 a.m.  Check out the official GPAC release at the following link: GPAC Release

Championship Format... The championship is a six-team, single-elimination tournament that will conclude on Saturday, May 8 with a 2:00 pm championship match. The champion of the postseason tournament will advance to the NAIA National Tennis Championship in Mobile, Alabama, at the Mobile Tennis Center. USF is the tournament's top seed with a perfect 8-0 regular season record while Nebraska Wesleyan is the #2 seed at 7-1. Both of the top seeds earn a first round bye. Concordia (#3), Hastings (#4), Morningside (#5) and Northwestern (#6) round out the tournament field.

Last Year's Tournament Results...Northwestern did not participate in the postseason tournament in 2009. Nebraska Wesleyan captured the women's championship last year to earn a berth in the NAIA national championship. In Saturday morning's semifinal action, the third seeded Prairie Wolves defeated second seeded Concordia 5-1, while top seed Sioux Falls defeated fourth seed Hastings by the same 5-1 score. Both teams were allowed to walk off once a win was secured in the semifinals. The Prairie Wolves then came back strong in the women's title match and knocked off the Cougars 5-4.

2009 GPAC Women's Tennis Championship

Last Time Out...Northwestern swept past Briar Cliff 9-0 in the final match of the regular season played April 27 in Orange City. The win secured the sixth and final postseason berth into the GPAC Conference Tournament. Northwestern, playing in just its second season after a five year hiatus, returns to the postseason for the first time since 2002.

In singles' play, Northwestern won all six of its matches in straight sets. Nessa Summers improved to 6-5 in singles with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Lauren Laferla. Jessica Pomerenke won her fifth match of the year with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Emily Coleman at #2 singles. Kellie Korver matched Pomerenke with her fifth win in singles' play as she defeated Caitlin Hayden at #3, 6-0, 6-3.

Korver and Laura Starr made quick work in their #2 doubles match as well, shutting out Hayden and Kaylene Seda, 8-0. Pomerenke and Julie Mineart teamed to defeat Cassondra Peck and Coleman in the top doubles match, 8-2. Summers and Kate Mannenbach also picked up a doubles win, defeating Lauren Laferla and Kayla Phillips, 8-4.

Last Match vs Concordia... This will be the second match of the season against Concordia as the Bulldogs defeated Northwestern 6-3 on April 17. Kellie Korver and Bobbie Lydick earned a pair of wins in singles' play while Korver and Jessica Pomerenke teamed up to earn a hard-fought 9-7 win at #2 doubles. Korver defeated Kim Francis 6-3, 6-0 at #4 singles and Lydick knocked off Faith Ahlman 7-6 (8-6), 6-0 at #6 singles. For complete results, click on the following link: Concordia vs NWC results

Concordia News and Notes... The Bulldogs are playing in their eighth straight GPAC postseason tournament, losing in the semifinals last year to Nebraska Wesleyan. They closed the season with a 3-3 record with wins over Briar Cliff, Morningside and Midland Lutheran but losses to U. Nebraska-Kearney, USF and Nebraska Wesleyan. Concordia finished the regular season with a 9-6 record, 6-2 in the GPAC.

Coach Amy Harms is in her third season as the head coach of the Bulldogs and is 23-7 during her tenure. She earned GPAC Coach of the Year honors in 2008 and returns all but one starter off a 2009 squad that finished second in the GPAC with an 8-1 record.

Three players who earned first team all-GPAC honors in 2009 return, led by senior Hannah Krueger, who earned the honor as the team's #1 singles player. Taylor Cook received all-league honors at #3 singles and combined with Krueger to earn first team all-GPAC honors at #1 doubles. Kim Francis, a junior from Overland Park, earned first team all-GPAC honors at #4 singles.

Northwestern News and Notes...Ness Summers leads the Raiders with a 6-5 record playing in the #4 or #5 spots in singles' play. Jessica Pomerenke and Kellie Korver are both 5-8 in singles and Bobbie Lydick is 5-7 at #6 singles. Julie Mineart is 3-10 playing in the top singles spot and Jennifer Jansen is 2-7 at #2 singles.

In doubles, Pomerenke and Korver are 5-7 at #2 while Mineart and Jansen are 3-8 playing as the #1 doubles' team. Laura Starr and Kate Mannenbach round out the line-up with a 2-6 record.