The University of Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State University clashed for the second time in the last 14 days and this time the Beavers got the upper hand over the Bulldog tennis squad. Bemidji State avenged it lost earlier in the season by taking down UMD 5-2 Saturday afternoon at the Virginia Indoor Tennis and Pickleball Club in Virginia, Minn.
The Beavers (3-2) took the doubles point and four of the singles points to hand the shorthanded Bulldogs (2-2) their second straight loss to start the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tour.
During doubles action, the Bulldogs had one player withdraw due to an injury which forced head coach Jess Worden to alter her singles lineup and strategy on a moment's notice. Freshman
Olivia Gorton and sophomore
Courtney Eppen, who both had to slide up on the card, each pulled out singles victories.
Gorton defeated Ana Lucia Ibanez in the No. 4 spot, prevailing in straight sets 6-3, 7-7 (7-5 tiebreaker). Eppen (No. 6) grabbed her win over Julia Lindseth after falling behind losing the first set only to race back to take the second and capture the tie breaker (2-6, 7-5, 10-5 tiebreaker).
Gorton has won all three of her singles matches this season while Eppen achieved her first singles win of the season in her only attempt.
Junior
Lilly Nelson and freshman
Isabelle Simon teamed up in their doubles victory 6-4 over the BSU's pairing of Lauren Rutten and Lindseth.
"This weekend, we came out hard and gave it our all," said Worden. "There were close battles on all the doubles and singles courts. Unfortunately, the scores did not fall our way, but it was not for lack of effort and heart. As we head into an off weekend I look forward to having some time to continue to grow as a team. Our spring trip to Florida will be a great opportunity for our players to continue to grow. We are so lucky to have three freshmen playing in our lineup and making a huge difference for our team."
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Monday, March 10 when they partake in their spring break trip first starting with Swarthmore College in Orlando, Fla.
