KEARNEY, Neb. (February 10, 2025) – Lubbock Christian University opened the spring portion of its 2024-25 women's tennis season with a pair of competitive duals at the Ernest Grundy Tennis Center, splitting results against No. 13-ranked Nebraska Kearney and Augustana (S.D.).
 
LCU (4-1) nearly pulled off an upset against Nebraska Kearney (4-0) on Feb. 7 but fell in a tightly contested 4-3 battle. The Lopers secured the crucial doubles point with victories on all three courts, setting the stage for a singles showdown. The Lady Chaps responded with a strong showing, earning three singles wins behind Mariia Koroleva, AnaMaria Zoric, and Oshini Herath. Koroleva delivered a decisive 6-2, 6-3 victory at No. 4 singles, while Zoric posted a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5. Herath clinched her match at No. 6 singles with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 decision. The match came down to No. 2 singles, where Andrea De Bernardo pushed Nebraska Kearney's Narindra Ranaivo to three sets before falling 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.
 
Saturday, LCU rebounded with a 4-2 win over Augustana (2-1) on Feb. 9. The Lady Chaps' top doubles pairing of De Bernardo and Axelle Jacquemin earned a key 6-4 win at No. 1 doubles, though Augustana took the doubles point with victories at the No. 2 and No. 3 slots. LCU responded in singles play, winning four of the five completed matches. Opolska battled past Mia Garcia in a dramatic 7-6, 10-4, 7-5 victory at No. 1 singles, while De Bernardo edged Nicole Dufour 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 2. Koroleva earned her second singles win of the weekend with a 7-6, 10-4, 7-5 decision over Gabriela Jancikova at No. 4, and Zoric cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 5.
 
Koroleva improved her team lead in wins with nine, as she is 9-2 on the season. Zoric remained unbeaten in duals and is 5-0 this season in dual matches (leads the team). She is 6-2 overall.
 
The Lady Chaps are scheduled to face Rockhurst and Northwestern Missouri State this weekend in Edmond, Okla.