LINDSBORG, Kan. – Sterling College women’s tennis started out the fall season strong and showed grit, battling through heat and weather delays. In singles play, Hannah Giordanelli finished as the runner-up of the Singles Draw C division while Danna Arroyo secured a third-place win in the Singles Draw A division. Arroyo also found success in doubles play with partner Julia Gutierrez as the duo were the runners-up of the Doubles Draw C division.
Arroyo represented the Lady Warriors in the Singles Draw A division, she won her opening round 8-3 against Fort Hays State University’s Charlie Stirling. She came up short in the semi-final round losing to Doane University’s Maria Purizaca, 8-0. She bounced back with a win against Taimi Nashiku in the third-place match.
Gutierrez made her debut as a Lady Warrior in the Singles Draw B division. She started with a tough match against Belle Ellerbee of McPherson where she lost 8-4. Gutierrez then faced another difficult opponent in Fort Hays State University’s Caeli Cox, losing 6-1. Her final match was cancelled due to heat.
In the Singles Draw C division, Giordanelli was fast tracked to the championship match after Ines Laterre of Fort Hays and Laureen Van Drunen of McPherson withdrew in their matches. Giordanelli then faced Fort Hays Albay Pulido in the championship match but came up short 8-1.
Greta Fankhauser started off strong in the Singles Draw G division defeating Peyton Chanley of Kansas Wesleyan, 8-3 in the opening round. She then faced Rowen Wiemers in the semi-final round where she lost 8-6. The third-place match was cancelled due to heat.
In doubles play, Giordanelli and Fankhauser teamed up in the Doubles Draw B division where they took on Fort Hays’ Mekenzy Clark and Kali Keough and lost 8-6 in the opening round. The pair then advanced to the consolation championship when Bethany College’s Helen Harbit and Inarie Rippert withdrew due to injury. Giordanelli and Fankhauser then lost to Corina Salas and Alivia Sherer of Kansas Wesleyan in the consolation championship, 6-0.
Arroyo and Gutierrez also competed in doubles play in the Doubles Draw C division. They started strong with an 8-0 win over Doane’s Isabella Castillero and Elizabeth Roth. The pair continued to roll with an 8-2 win over Saint Mary’s Madelynne Able and Rowen Wiemers to advance to the championship match. However, Arroyo and Gutierrez ran out of steam as they fell to Fort Hays’ Janae Montoya and Madeline Deters, 8-5.
The Warriors will be back in action on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18-19 in Lindsborg, Kan. for the KCAC Fall Individual Championship.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.
