Box Score GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota women's tennis team came up short in a battle against No. 44 Denver, dropping a 6-1 decision to the Pioneers to conclude the regular season from Choice Health and Fitness in Grand Forks, N.D. 

UND (10-12, 5-2 Summit League) will advance to the Summit League Tennis Championships as either the No. 2 or 3 seed and will battle Kansas City in the semifinals next weekend from Tulsa, Okla. 

"Congrats to Denver," said UND head coach Tom Boysen. "They are a well-coached, talented team, and they are having another great season. I thought we had a terrific mindset and competitive spirit all the way up and down our lineup today.  We didn't back down, we didn't give in, and we embraced the battle.  If we can do these things consistently against every opponent we play, then the sky's the limit with this group."

The Fighting Hawks battled on nearly every court, becoming the first conference team this season to earn a point off the Pioneers. NoDak also took a match into a tiebreaking third set while also grabbing a triumph on the doubles court. 

It was Jule Schulte and Nore Heinitz who took the victory at the middle spot in two-person action, notching a 6-4 victory to bring the score level, but the Pios (16-4, 6-0 Summit League) grabbed wins on the top and bottom courts to take a 1-0 lead. 

In singles play, Heinitz continued her strong play at the No. 5 spot with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph to become the first conference opponent to win a singles match against Denver this season and only the fourth in the last two seasons.

"Nore was phenomenal today in winning both her doubles and singles  matches," said Boysen. "She committed herself to playing a game style that gave her a chance to win against a very, very good opponent, and she stayed with it no matter the score or situation, even if it was a hit outside her comfort zone."

Denver was able to grab victories on each of the remaining singles sets to come away with the 6-1 win and clinch the No. 1 seed for the upcoming championships.

"I am so proud of not only the great tennis that she played today, but the great mentality and emotional balance that she showed for the entire match," said Boysen. "We are so excited to travel to Tulsa this week to compete in the Summit League Championships."


Summit League Women's Tennis
Denver 6, North Dakota 1 
Apr. 15, 2023 - Choice Health and Fitness (Grand Forks, N.D.)
A: 57

Doubles Results: 
Pursell/Melville (DU) def. Sela/Jansson (UND) - 6-2
Schulte/Heinitz (UND) def. Burguete Beltran/Martinez de Velasco (DU) - 6-4
Wikander/Driscoll (DU) def. Kauders/Bowles (UND) - 6-4

Order: 1, 2, 3

Singles Results:
Melville (DU) def. Kauders (UND) - 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-2)
Burguete Beltran (DU) def. Sela (UND) - 6-2, 6-1
Pursell (DU) def. Jansson (UND) - 7-6, 6-2
Wikander (DU) def. Schulte (UND) - 6-1, 6-1
Heinitz (UND) def. Driscoll (DU) - 6-3, 6-4
Martinez de Velasco (DU) def. Georgieva (UND) - 6-2, 6-3

Order: 4, 2, 5, 6, 1, 2