The South Dakota State women’s tennis team was in action this past weekend, starting with a slate of matches played Friday at the 2015 ITA Central Regional Championship hosted by Oklahoma State.

Sixth-year Head Coach Michael Engdahl had all positive things to say about his team after their performance Friday. 

“The women had the type of day we have been looking for all fall. We started slow this morning but our competitive edge was there by the end of the day,” Engdahl said. “When we competed the way we wanted to compete, we came up with some solid back-to-back wins. Our challenge now is to play with the same focus and intensity for a full day tomorrow (Saturday).” 

The victories being referenced by Engdahl would be singles victories coming from seniors Florencia Magni and Ffion Davies. Magni defeated UMKC, 6-3, 1-6, 10-3 then dropped Minnesota in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Davies beat Omaha, 6-3, 6-1 and then Oklahoma, 6-0, 6-0. 

Both reached the semifinals of the back draw Saturday, as Davies lost 6-3, 6-3 to Drake in the semifinals while Magni lost to South Dakota, 6-0, 6-1.

In doubles, junior Iasmin Rosa and Davies won their match defeating Oral Roberts, 8-5.

The Jackrabbits close their fall season Oct. 23 through 25 when they participate in the CSUN Invitational in Northridge, California. 

As for the Jackrabbit men’s tennis squad, it closed its fall season after losing both doubles matches Friday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Senior Henrique Pereira and freshman Emerson Styles lost 8-1 to Tulsa while junior Lucas Pereira and senior Mateus Moreira lost to Minnesota, 8-0. 

“The guys had a tough go today against some high-level competition. It was a great example of the consistency we need to work on when it comes to competing. In tournaments like this you need to be at a high level the entire weekend,” Engdahl said. “The guys wrapped up a solid fall and should have plenty of positives to focus on in the offseason.”

The men’s side has now finished the fall season and will continue competition on Friday, Jan. 15 in a duel against DePaul University in Minneapolis.