BISMARCK, ND – Despite holding an advantage after doubles play, the University of Mary couldn't stave off an MSU Moorhead rally in singles competition in the Marauders 6-3 loss to the Dragons on Senior Day. Mary honored Anastasia Bruss, Catherine Gibbens, Meredith Holt and Hannah Smith before the Marauders final home game of the season.
 
The Marauders jumped out to an early 2-1 lead after doubles competition. Holt and freshman Lucia Bolibruch claimed a comfortable 8-5 win in top doubles play over Jessamy Jones and Chessa Jones.
 
While Mary fell short in #2 doubles, the third team of Lisa Anderson and Shanna Stevenson continued their outstanding season with an 8-6 win over Ricquel Ramsbottom and Danielle Unruh. The Anderson/Stevenson duo improved to 7-4 overall on the season and 5-2 against conference foes.
 
With the Dragons rallying early in singles, claiming wins at #3, #5 and #6, Eileen Leong kept the Marauders in the hunt. The junior from Pierre, SD, had to go into the tiebreaker to capture #4 singles.
 
Pushed to a 7-5 win in the opening set, Leong dropped the second 6-3 to Alexis Koneche. Leong then dominated the tiebreaker, outworking her opponent for a 10-1 win to take the match and improve to 7-4 overall and 5-1 against NSIC opponents.
 
With two matches left to play, the Marauders hoped to build on Leong's win. Instead, the Dragons clinched the match with wins at both #1 and #2 singles. Forced to move up with Gibbens out of the lineup due to injury, Holt suffered a 6-3, 6-2 hard-fought loss to Jessamy Jones in the top billing while Bolibruch dropped a 6-1, 6-3 match to Olivia Keelin in the second slot.
 
The Marauders next face Bemidji State and Minnesota Crookston in Northern Sun action on April 1 in Virginia, MN.
 
Tennis Match Results
MSU Moorhead vs University of Mary
Mar 18, 2017 at Bismarck, ND
(Capital Racquet and Fitness)
 
MSU Moorhead 6, University of Mary 3
 
Singles competition
1. Jones, Jessamy (MSUM) def. Holt, Meredith (MARY) 6-3, 6-2
2. Keelin, Olivia (MSUM) def. Bolibruch, Lucia (MARY) 6-1, 6-3
3. Ramsbottom, Ricquel (MSUM) def. Bruss, Anastasia (MARY) 6-1, 6-4
4. Leong, Eileen (MARY) def. Konecne, Alexis (MSUM) 7-5, 3-6, 10-1
5. Jones, Chessa (MSUM) def. Wolf, Danielle (MARY) 6-3, 6-2
6. Unruh, Danielle (MSUM) def. Bremar, Cristina (MARY) 6-3, 6-0
 
Doubles competition
1. Holt, Meredith/Bolibruch, Lucia (MARY) def. Jones, Jessamy/Jones, Chessa (MSUM) 8-5
2. Keelin, Olivia/Konecne, Alexis (MSUM) def. Leong, Eileen/Bruss, Anastasia (MARY) 8-5
3. Anderson, Lisa/Stevenson, Shanna (MARY) def. Ramsbottom, Ricquel/Unruh, Danielle (MSUM) 8-6
 
Match Notes:
MSU Moorhead 8-5 (4-3 NSIC)
University of Mary 3-9 (1-6 NSIC)
Senior Day for Marauders Anastasia Bruss, Catherine Gibbens, Meredith Holt,and
Hannah Smith.
 
T-4:30 A-122