(RV) Warriors Win Clash Versus Morningside; Claim Conference Title

FREMONT, Neb. - Midland University hosted undefeated Morningside University in a winner-take-all matchup for the regular season Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Title on Monday morning. The Mustangs won the doubles point putting pressure on early, but the Warriors tamed their opponents winning 4-3 to claim the conference title for a second straight season. Midland ends their conference run undefeated (7-0) and 16-3 overall which reaches the second-most single-season wins since the tenure of head coach Bruno Campos. Morningside lost their first match in the conference dropping to 5-1 and 15-5 in their campaign.  

In doubles play, No. 2s Ivett Castaneda and Kristina Khmelevskaia defeated Macy McDonald and Delfina Stuzynska 6-4 as the other pairings fell to the Mustangs as they clinched the doubles point.  

Castaneda at No. 3 claimed victory over Emily Clotfelter as she became relentless in the second set, winning 6-4, 6-0. No. 5 Grace Felder came out hot after falling just shy in her doubles match as she squashed McDonald 6-1, 6-1.  

With the Warriors needing 2 more points to grab the crown, No. 2 Khmelevskaia fell in the first set 2-6. The Russian senior came roaring back defeating Stuzynska 6-2, 6-2 in the final two sets to keep the Warriors in contention for the match and the conference title. Stepping onto the court was No. 6 Lainie Fanton with only one singles loss (16-1) to her name. Fanton outworked Olivia Boudreau in a three-set match, winning the first and third sets 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 keeping the title in possession of the Warriors.  

Midland (16-3, 7-0 GPAC) will host the GPAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed on April 28 and 29 inside the Fremont Family YMCA. The Warriors will look to win their second straight conference tournament giving them another banner to hang in Fremont.