Washburn unable to swat the ESU Hornets

The Lady Blues had a minor set back after earning their first MIAA win of the season against Lincoln University.

The Lady Blues traveled to face-off with the Hornets at Emporia State Universitys' tennis complex. The Blues fought hard but could only come away with two wins, falling 7-2 to the Hornets.

Freshmen Gwen Shepler and Nzingha Banks were beaten 8-3 in No. 3 doubles to ESU’s Somer Schmidt and Tiffany Khounsombath. In an intense match, the dynamic duo of junior Sophie O’Neill and sophomore Casyn Buchman were unable to come away with a victory in No. 2 doubles. Kayla Fraley and Alex Crowe of ESU managed to fend off Buchman and O’Neill, winning 9-7.

Freshmen Jodie Blackim and Kirsten Holle got the Blues in the win column, winning 8-5 in No. 1 doubles. However Washburn was unable to keep the momentenum going into singles play.

Schmidt defeated Washburn sophomore Rachael Hageman 6-0, 6-4 in No. 6 singles play. Shepler couldn’t get past Crowe in No. 5 singles, losing 6-3, 6-1. Holle was almost able to get her second win of the day, but narrowly lost 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to ESU’s Jennifer Gerhardt.

The Lady Blues got their second win from Buchman, who is making her return back to tennis action after spending the last few months with the Washburn basketball team. Buchman spanked Khounsombath in No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-2.

Blackim was less fortunate in No. 2 singles. The freshman from Oklahoma couldn’t carry over her success from doubles play, losing 6-2, 6-0 to Taylor Smith.

After much success the last couple of matches, O’Neill hit a rough patch. She was defeated 6-0, 6-4 in No. 1 singles. Washburn (3-13, 2-5 MIAA) will host Truman University 2 p.m. Friday, April 12, at Washburn’s Tennis Complex.