NSU Tennis

Wolves Tennis Sees First Action

September 29, 2007

VERMILLION, S.D. - The Northern State women's tennis program saw action for the first time in a recent trip to Vermillion, S.D., where they competed against Morningside College and the University of South Dakota. "I don't think we could have asked for a better start to our program," said NSU head coach Jessie Daw. "We had great fan support with family and friends in attendance. What a way to start...a tradition begins!"

NSU 6, Morningside College 3

Singles (NSU player listed first):
#1 Kelsey Lonning def. Dari Gehling 6-1, 6-3
#2 Jessica DesLauriers def. Erin Koskovich 6-3, 6-2
#3 Abbey Johnsen def. Kate Nelson 6-4, 7-5
#4 Bridget Henderson def. Marisa Graham 7-6, 6-0
#5 Amanda Lee def. Lynn Leonard 6-3, 6-2
#6 NSU defaulted match to MC

Doubles (NSU team listed first):
#1 Lonning/DesLauriers lost to Gehling/Koskovich 8-5
#2 Johnsen/Henderson def. Nelson/Graham 8-5
#3 NSU defaulted match to MC

The Wolves opened the day by winning every singles match played against Morningside College and ultimately claiming a 6-3 victory. The competition was played indoors due to cold weather. Amanda Lee set the pace in singles by competing well and playing consistently to earn the first singles win for the NSU tennis program, while NSU's two doubles teams had close matches. Johnsen and Henderson were able to pick up their game towards the end of the set to close out the first doubles win for the Wolves.

Lonning and DesLauries competed against two hard hitters who ended up serving well and making some tough shots toward the end of the match to pull out the win for Morningside. Lonning and DesLauriers turned around and each played one of their doubles opponents, and they both challenged the consistency of those hard hitters. By playing smart and moving their opponents around, they both handily won their singles matches.

Johnsen and Henderson also earned singles wins for the Wolves. Johnsen fought hard against a tough opponent who never let up, and Henderson battled well to a first set tiebreaker, and then really played well to win the second set at 6-0.

NSU 0, South Dakota 9

Singles (NSU player listed first):
#1 Kelsey Lonning lost to Rijalda Zejnic, 6-0, 6-3
#2 Jessica DesLauriers lost to Andrea Da Silva, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
#3 Abbey Johnsen lost to Amanda Barton 7-5, 6-0
#4 Bridget Henderson lost to Ashley Waltman 6-3, 6-2
#5 Amanda Lee lost to Megan Arend 6-0, 6-2
#6 NSU defaulted match to USD

Doubles (NSU team listed first):
#1 Lonning/DesLauriers lost to Zajnic/Da Silva 9-7
#2 Johnsen/Henderson lost to Barton/Peters 8-3
#3 NSU defaulted match to USD

Although NSU lost the match against South Dakota 9-0, the team played well and challenged the more experienced USD tennis team in various sets throughout the match. Especially noteworthy were the 2nd sets by Lonning at #1 and DesLauriers at #2. Both players lost the first sets but then made adjustments to their games in the 2nd sets. Lonning was on serve for the most part throughout the 2nd set, and then after the 3-4 changeover, she lost the next two games to lose the set and the match. Her opponent relied on her experience, and this is something that the Wolves will continue to gain as they move through their first year.

DesLauriers really picked up her strategy in the 2nd set to push it to a tiebreaker, falling 7-4 in the breaker. Johnsen at #3 played a tough first set to Aberdeen native Barton, but then again, Barton's experience showed through as she was able to roll through the 2nd set. Henderson and Lee competed hard against talented and experienced players.

"Our players competed hard and with class, rarely wavering in the face of challenges," commented Daw. "The players have been working hard for the last four weeks, and they showed their competitiveness and determination throughout the day of competition."