SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Natsumi Kurahashi won a three-set match at No. 1 singles to give the Wichita State women's team a 4-3 victory over host South Dakota, Monday morning at Huether Family Match Pointe.
 
In addition to Kurahashi's deciding match, the Shockers (3-2) claimed the doubles point and wins at No. 5 and No. 6 singles.
 
"I'm very proud of the effort today," head coach Colin Foster said. "In our third-consecutive road match, with the team battling some injuries and illnesses, we found a way."
 
The Shockers had just five available players in Saturday's 4-3 loss at Omaha but got a lift on Monday with the return of Dohee Lee (injury) and Bianca Rademacher (illness), who teamed up for an important 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles that helped clinch the first point of the match.
 
Kurahashi and LingWei Kong added a 6-1 victory at No. 1 doubles, improving their spring record to 3-0.
 
"Doubles was the difference," Foster noted. "And it was good to have that point and just come out of the blocks with great energy, which is something that was missing at Drake."
 
Freshman Clara Whitaker continued an outstanding start to her spring with a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 5 singles. She's now 5-0 in spring duals.
 
"Clara really doesn't seem like a freshman out there," Foster said. "In the Fall, at times she did, but she also had a great training block here in Wichita in the off-season and is playing smart, physical tennis. I'm excited to watch her continue to develop."
 
Jacksonville State transfer Harriett Hamilton improved to 12-3 on the season and 4-1 in duals with a comfortable 6-0, 6-3 sweep at No. 6.
 
South Dakota won two-setters on Courts 2, 3, and 4 to even the dual at 3-3, leaving the Shockers' fate in the hands of Kurahashi at No. 1 singles.
 
The redshirt sophomore had won the first set handily, 6-2, but momentum favored the Coyotes after Jana Lazarevic fought back to win the second set by an identical 6-2 score.
 
Kurahashi trailed briefly in the third before battling back for a 7-5 win.
 
"Harriet and Clara played very solid, consistent matches and Natsu was a warrior at the end," Foster said. "She's had a brutally-physical weekend but she puts in the hard work in the off-season and earned this win."
 
Kurahashi improved to 4-1 at No. 1 singles and 12-3 overall.
 
It was an uplifting finish for the Shockers, who had dropped a pair of close road matches on Saturday and Sunday but return home with a victory on which they can build.
 
"Certainly, we're disappointed in the results at Drake and Omaha," Foster said. "But if we can learn from those matches, then we'll be better for it down the road."
 

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Wichita State 4, South Dakota 3
Jan. 31, 2022 | 10 a.m. CT
Sioux Falls, S.D. (Huether Family Match Pointe)
 
Singles competition:
1. Natsumi Kurahashi (WICH) def. Jana Lazarevic (USD) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
2. Habiba Aly (USD) def. LingWei Kong (WICH) 6-3, 6-2
3. Estella Jaeger (USD) def. Dohee Lee (WICH) 6-3, 6-2
4. Bea Havlickova (USD) def. Bianca Rademacher (WICH) 6-2, 6-2
5. Clara Whitaker (WICH) def. Anna Marija Bukina (USD) 6-2, 6-3
6. Harriet Hamilton (WICH) def. Eesha Varma (USD) 6-0, 6-3
 
Doubles competition:
1. Natsumi Kurahashi/LingWei Kong (WICH) def. Jana Lazarevic/Habiba Aly (USD) 6-1
2. Estella Jaeger/Anna Marija Bukina (USD) vs. Harriet Hamilton/Clara Whitaker (WICH) 3-3, unfinished
3. Dohee Lee/Bianca Rademacher (WICH) def. Bea Havlickova/Eesha Varma (USD) 6-1
 
Match Notes:
Wichita State 3-2
South Dakota 1-4
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,6,4,5,3,1)