Lindsborg, Kan.— McPherson College defeated the Spire women 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the 2026 KCAC Women's Tennis Championships, ending the Spires' season in Lindsborg.

The dual opened in doubles, where the Bulldogs claimed the top two courts to take control early. Nashiku and Ellerbee beat Mia Rojas and Shannon Finn 6-3 at No. 1 doubles, and Hofer and Van Drunen followed with a 6-1 win over Rowen Weimers and Monserrat Guerrero at No. 2. The Spires answered at No. 3 doubles, where Courtney Standley and Arsys Rojas earned a 6-1 victory over Lesteluhu and Luisa de Lama.

In singles, McPherson secured the points it needed with a strong run through the middle of the lineup. Nashiku defeated Finn 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, Ellerbee beat Guerrero 6-4, 6-1 at No. 3, and Van Drunen posted a 6-0, 6-0 result against Weimers at No. 4. Hofer also outlasted Mia Rojas in a three-set battle at No. 1, 5-7, 6-0, 1-0.

USM's top individual singles result came from Standley, who won a three-set match at No. 5 singles against Luisa de Lama, 6-3, 5-7, 1-0. At No. 6 singles, Arsys Rojas and Lesteluhu split sets, with the Spires taking the first 6-4 before McPherson answered in the second, 5-3. No decisive third-set result was recorded there.

The final reflected MC's overall edge in the counting matches, with the Bulldogs recording two doubles wins and three completed singles victories that counted toward the team decision. Saint Mary's lineup still showed resistance through Standley's singles win and the No. 3 doubles pairing of Standley and Arsys Rojas, but the Spires could not overcome McPherson's early doubles advantage and straight-set success on multiple singles courts.

With the loss in the conference opener, the 2026-26 University of Saint Mary Women's Tennis season comes to a bittersweet end. The Spires finished the day with one doubles victory and a notable singles win from Standley, while McPherson advanced behind winning performances from Nashiku, Ellerbee, Hofer and Van Drunen.