Women's Tennis Keeps the NACC Crown
KOHLER, Wis. – The Concordia Wisconsin women's tennis team defended its crown on Sunday morning in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Women's Tennis Tournament Finals. The Falcons vanquished a familiar foe in Edgewood with a 5-1 victory.
"It's always an awesome feeling being able to go out and actually achieve what you set out to from the beginning of the season," said head coach Steve Anschutz. "This is a historically successful group of athletes and our story is not done yet. We are excited for nationals and these ladies will go on to do great things beyond tennis."
The sensational senior squad of Ricki Budewitz (Watertown, Wis.) and Ashley Samuta (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) secured an 8-2 victory over Cecile Fuchs and Evelyn Taylor at No. 1 doubles. The duo is now 26-2 on the year.
Freshman Sofia Buhr (Blumenau, Brazil) and senior Mallory Moen ( Neenah, Wis.) earned some later separation from Maddy Coopmans and Jewel Lindwall and picked up an 8-4 victory.
Things did not look well for the Falcons at No. 3 doubles on Sunday. Edgewood built up a 7-4 lead and threatened to take its first point of the match. Senior Mia Andrae (Cedarburg, Wis.) and junior Peyton Morgan (Arlington Heights, Ill.) dug in and forced a tiebreaker. The Blue and White bounced Ellie Murphy and Madelyn Connaughty, 7-4, to sweep the doubles matches and take a 3-0 lead.
Peyton Morgan mowed down Christina Ekkela at No. 6 singles, 6-2, 6-0, pushing the lead to 4-0.
Edgewood took its lone point of the match at No. 4 singles.
For the second-straight year, Mia Andrae clinched the title. Andrae downed Maddy Coopmans for the second-consecutive year with a 6-2, 7-6 (3) victory.
"It's an awesome feeling being able to have clinched the match for our team two years in a row," said Andrae. "I couldn't have done it without my team and coach pushing me every day and for my constant support from my family"
Ricki Budewitz took the first set at No. 1 singles, from Cecile Fuchs, 6-2.
At No. 3 singles, Ashley Samuta snagged the first set from Evelyn Taylor, 6-2.
The victory sends Concordia Wisconsin to 21-6 on the year.
Mia Andrae, Ashley Samuta and Ricki Budewitz were all named to the All-tournament Team. Budewitz was named the Tournament MVP.
Sunday was the ninth meeting between the two schools in the NACC Tournament Finals. The Falcons are now 6-3 in those matches.
This is the 12th conference tournament title for the Falcons. The Blue and White claimed titles in 1994, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2023.
The victory sends Concordia Wisconsin back to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The NCAA will announce the NCAA Division III Women's Tennis bracket on Monday.
