Tennis qualifies for first postseason tournament

The University of South Dakota women’s tennis team qualified for the Summit League Tournament following wins against Oakland and IUPUI in Omaha on April 12. This marks the first time in school history USD will compete in the tournament.

The Coyotes received the fourth seed in the four team field and will play the number one seed IPFW.

Senior Veronika Makashov said the team was thrilled to qualify.

“We are definitely all very excited, especially since this is the first year we could actually go. It’s a great accomplishment to even participate,” said Makashov.

The team was supposed to host the sole home match against Sioux Falls on April 16 but the match was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. Junior Michelle Elkin said the team plans to use it to its advantage as they extend the season.

“We were a little sad, just because it was supposed to be Senior Day,” Elkin said. “But we did extend our season, so that just gives us more time to prepare. We are playing a team that we’ve already played before, but that doesn’t mean anything.”

The Summit League Tournament will be held in Fort Wayne, Ind. beginning April 26.