SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State University tennis team opened a pivotal weekend road trip with a 6-3 win on Saturday night over the University of Sioux Falls. The Warriors then traveled to Augustana University on Sunday morning with first place on the line in the NSIC, but suffered a 9-0 loss to the eight-time defending conference champions.

The match against Augustana began with doubles play where Kendra Kappes and Rachel Gantz were narrowly defeated in a 9-8 (1) decision at No. 2. Tayla Card and Kali Hackmann then suffered their first loss as a team at doubles No. 3 this season, 8-3.

Card and Hackmann would then fall for the first time this spring in their respective singles matches. Card was defeated in a competitive 6-4, 6-4 match at Singles No. 6, and Hackmann fell 6-4, 6-2 at Singles No. 5.

Justine Daane put up a good fight at Singles No. 3 before ultimately falling, 6-3, 6-4, and Gantz nearly forced a third set in her match before falling 6-0, 7-6.

On Friday night at Sioux Falls, the Warriors found themselves facing a 2-1 deficit before rallying in singles play for the team win. Gantz and Kendra Kappes scored Winona State's victory in doubles action at No. 2 with an 8-3 triumph. The Warriors proceeded to win five of their six singles matches to complete the comeback.

Gantz was a 6-0, 6-1 winner at singles No. 2, Daane produced a 6-3, 6-0 win at singles No. 3 and Kappes earned a 6-0, 6-2 win at singles No. 3.

Hackmann and Card both improved to 12-0 in singles action with wins in their respective matches against the Cougars before finally having their undefeated runs ended by the Vikings on Sunday.

Winona State (11-2) concludes the weekend at 8-1 in conference play and currently sits in a second-place tie in the NSIC with MSU Moorhead.

The Warriors will host the Dragons of Moorhead and the University of Mary in their final homestand of the season on April 7-8 in Winona.