BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Bemidji State University Women's Tennis team defeated Winona State University for the first time since 2017 en route to a weekend split at Gillett Wellness Center Friday and Saturday.
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The Beavers began the weekend falling to Minnesota State University, Mankato 5-2 but bounced back with their first win over Winona State since 2017 with a 4-3 victory Saturday. BSU improved to 6-7 on the season and 3-4 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play and sit sixth in the league standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season April 18-19.
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In Friday's match, the Beavers saw points come from
Sophie Groen at No. 1 singles and
Lauren Rutten at No. 4 singles as the Mavericks earned a 5-2 victory. Groen defeated Freia Lawrence 6-3, 6-4 to claim victory while Rutten defeated Taina Cordeiro 6-3, 2-6, 10-7 in a thrilling three-set match.
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The Beavers bounced back Saturday winning a thrilling match over the Warriors for their first win over WSU since 2017 and just the fourth victory since 1994. The Warriors started the match earning the doubles point after Skylar Gary/Alexandra Madjun and Clara Thoemke/Miranda Daulong defeated
Valesca Rodriguez/
Lauren Rutten and Ana Lucia Ibanez/
Julia Lindseth respectively.
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However, the Beavers rallied to win four-of-six singles points to earn the 4-3 victory. Groen continued her winning ways defeating Lainey Ristau 4-6, 6-3, 6-3) at No. 1 singles. Freshman Mia Lesham also won at No. 2 singles defeating Skylar Gary 7-6, 3-6, 6-0. Ibanez then defeated Daulong 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4 singles and Rutten sent the Beavers to victory with a come-back victory over Nikita Agrawal 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.
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Groen led the Beavers over the weekend going 2-0 in singles play and 1-1 teamed with Leshem in doubles. Rutten followed and also went 2-0 at No. 5 singles over the weekend.
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The Beavers currently hold the sixth and final spot for the NSIC Tournament with a 3-4 league record heading into a bye week. Bemidji State aims to make the postseason tournament for the first time since 2021.
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Bemidji State will be back in action April 18-19 to face Minnesota State University, Moorhead and University of Mary in Grand Forks, N.D.
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For more information on the Bemidji State women's tennis program, tickets or schedules, visit
BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on
X or
Instagram or like them on
Facebook.
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Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
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