BISMARK, N.D.  -- The Bemidji State University tennis team dropped three Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) matches during a weekend road trip to Bismarck, N.D.

The Beavers opened the weekend with a 9-0 loss to Northern State University early Saturday.

The Wolves put the Beavers down 3-0 early sweeping the doubles matches. Caley Westin (So., Virginia, Minn.) and Meg Hafdahl (Sr., Virginia, Minn.) were defeated 8-1 in the No. 1 singles spot, Nicci Hedtke (Fr., Nisswa, Minn.), and Jessica Dulz (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn.) dropped the No. 2 doubles pairing 8-3 and Carlie Loeks (Fr., Elbow Lake, Minn.) and Carmen Backowski (So., Little Falls, Minn.) fell at No. 3 doubles 8-2.

In singles play, Deanie Hatch needed three sets to defeat Westin at the No. 1 slot (5-7, 6-2, 10-3), before the rest of BSU’s singles players were defeated in straight sets, which included an forfeit due to injury by Backowski at No. 6 singles.

BSU finished the day of competition with an 8-1 loss to Minnesota State University, Moorhead. 

The Dragons swept all three doubles matches to take a 3-0 lead into singles play. 

MSUM increased its lead to 6-0 when Westin, Hafdahl and Hedtke lost their singles matches in straight sets. Bemidji State gained a point when Loeks posted the first win of her collegiate career 6-2, 1-6, 10-7 at No. 5 singles. Both Dulz and Backowski were forced to forfeit due to injury and MSUM finished with the 8-1 win.

Bemidji State wrapped up the weekend of play with an 8-1 loss to University of Mary.

The Marauders took points at all three doubles matches, but not without trouble. Westin and Hafdahl took Sarah Janes and Kate O’Connell to 9-7 before falling in the No. 1 doubles match, while Backowski and Loeks dropped the No. 3 doubles match 8-5.

BSU lost its No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 match ups in straight sets as singles play got underway. Hedtke and Dulz each pushed their opponent to an extra set, with Hedtke earning a 6-1, 3-6, 10-4 victory in the No. 3 spot, while Dulz dropped her tie-breaker to fall 3-6, 6-1, 10-5 at No. 4 singles. At No. 6 singles, U-Mary’s Stephanie Gerriets defeated Backowski, 6-0 in the first set before the BSU newcomer was forced to retire due to injury.

BSU, which is now 0-8 on the season and 0-7 in league play, returns to action March 23 when it travels to St. Cloud, Minn. to face Augustana College and St. Cloud State University.

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