FHSU Athletics

EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State women's tennis team wrapped up the fall portion of its 2026-27 season on Saturday (Oct. 24) at the ITA Fall Central Regional. Over three days of action, four of six Tigers competing picked up two wins each.

Leading the charge for the Tigers in doubles, the duo of Mekenzy Clark and Charlie Stirling put together an strong run in the B Draw consolation bracket. After falling in their opening match of the tournament to a duo from Nebraska-Kearney, Clark and Stirling bounced back in dominant fashion, securing back-to-back victories over Josefa Panganiban and Brooke Mulholland of Mary, and Sydney Freisen and Mariia Sharandachenko of Jamestown. In the consolation final, they fell to the Emporia State duo of Emma Jittawait and Clara Hocker.
 
Also making noise in doubles was the pairing of Bethan Gill and Caelie Cox, who opened the B Draw with an 8-5 victory over Laia Vallespi and Shayna Klitzke of Jamestown. They fell in the quarterfinals, which ended their run since non-advancing pairs on the championship side do not go to the consolation bracket after a loss. Gill notched her second win of the weekend in consolation singles action against Hannah Watkins of Jamestown and nearly picked up a third falling in a win-by-two situation of a third and deciding set against a player from Augustana.
 
Sandra Rodriguez made noise in singles action with a pair of wins, reaching the semifinals of the B Draw consolation bracket. Following an opening-round loss to Emporia State's Giulia Russu, Rodriguez regrouped to string together consecutive straight-set wins over Ouachita Baptist's Jennifer Pfaefflin (6-3, 6-3) and Arkansas-Fort Smith's Thylia Diomede (7-5, 6-4). She ultimately fell in a competitive two-set match to Chiara Sobenes of Arkansas-Fort Smith (7-5, 7-5).
Fort Hays State showed resilience across several tight battles throughout the tournament. Five of the singles matches went to third and deciding sets.
 
The Tigers will return to action in the spring, scheduled to resume the season on February 19 at Hastings College in Nebraska.