Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Omaha's Season Ends in League Tourney
Apr 22, 2022 | Women's Tennis
Seniors Appreciate Chance to Play at Home One Last Time
When it was over, Madison Gallegos teared up as she hugged her fellow Mavericks one at a time.
Natalie Lorentz patiently waited nearby. And when the opportunity presented itself, she flung her arm around her friend and teammate and the two left the Miracle Hill Tennis Center playing area together one final time.
Their collegiate careers came to an end on Friday when Omaha lost to top-seeded Denver 4-0 in the semifinal round of the Summit League championship. The result wasn't surprising. The Pioneers have more all-conference players on their roster than they can use in their lineup on any given match day.
For the Mavericks, making the league tournament was a victory itself after a few years away. Omaha needed to win three of its last four matches of the regular season just to qualify for the event. A road win at North Dakota on April 9 gave the Mavericks the edge they needed to finish in the top four.
"The North Dakota match was really a big match," Lorentz said. "We came in prepared, and we just wanted it. I think that's the result of all the hard work we put in at the gym and at practice. It's awesome that we made the tournament. I wish it could've gone a little bit better. But I think we're happy to be here."
Lorentz, who used her NCAA-allotted extra season – due to the pandemic – to return this spring, wrapped up her career as Omaha's all-time wins leader. Gallegos, meanwhile, finished hers as the No. 1 singles player in the Maverick lineup – facing the opponent's top player in singles play in every match.
"I like to play the top player. I like to lead the team," she said. "To do it alongside my best friend, for her to come back for her Covid year, that just made everything so special. I couldn't ask for anything else."
Gallegos and Lorentz both spoke about how proud they were of the strides the Mavericks made. Omaha coach Adam Summitt praised his veterans then said it took a total team effort to make the tourney.
"It took everybody to all buy in and understand what the goal was. how to achieve the goal and what we needed to do to actually go about it," he said. "In years past, we always said we want to make it here. And then we'd face adversity and kind of fall apart. This year, we had to win three out of four matches just to qualify and win all four to get the high seed. And we accomplished the first part."
The Mavericks did that with a mix of veterans and younger players in their lineup. Gallegos and Lorentz will leave the program feeling that the foundation has been set for great days ahead for Omaha tennis.
"Every year that I've been here, it's gone progressively better," Gallegos said. "I really believe in the team we have now. Adding new players, I'm sure, will make them better. We have great leadership, so I'm not worried about leaving that behind. We'll have great seniors next year, too."
Said Lorentz: "They're up for doing even better than we've been doing. If they just keep working hard, they could make it to the conference finals – and even win it and go to the NCAAs."
Natalie Lorentz patiently waited nearby. And when the opportunity presented itself, she flung her arm around her friend and teammate and the two left the Miracle Hill Tennis Center playing area together one final time.
Their collegiate careers came to an end on Friday when Omaha lost to top-seeded Denver 4-0 in the semifinal round of the Summit League championship. The result wasn't surprising. The Pioneers have more all-conference players on their roster than they can use in their lineup on any given match day.
For the Mavericks, making the league tournament was a victory itself after a few years away. Omaha needed to win three of its last four matches of the regular season just to qualify for the event. A road win at North Dakota on April 9 gave the Mavericks the edge they needed to finish in the top four.
"The North Dakota match was really a big match," Lorentz said. "We came in prepared, and we just wanted it. I think that's the result of all the hard work we put in at the gym and at practice. It's awesome that we made the tournament. I wish it could've gone a little bit better. But I think we're happy to be here."
Lorentz, who used her NCAA-allotted extra season – due to the pandemic – to return this spring, wrapped up her career as Omaha's all-time wins leader. Gallegos, meanwhile, finished hers as the No. 1 singles player in the Maverick lineup – facing the opponent's top player in singles play in every match.
"I like to play the top player. I like to lead the team," she said. "To do it alongside my best friend, for her to come back for her Covid year, that just made everything so special. I couldn't ask for anything else."
Gallegos and Lorentz both spoke about how proud they were of the strides the Mavericks made. Omaha coach Adam Summitt praised his veterans then said it took a total team effort to make the tourney.
"It took everybody to all buy in and understand what the goal was. how to achieve the goal and what we needed to do to actually go about it," he said. "In years past, we always said we want to make it here. And then we'd face adversity and kind of fall apart. This year, we had to win three out of four matches just to qualify and win all four to get the high seed. And we accomplished the first part."
The Mavericks did that with a mix of veterans and younger players in their lineup. Gallegos and Lorentz will leave the program feeling that the foundation has been set for great days ahead for Omaha tennis.
"Every year that I've been here, it's gone progressively better," Gallegos said. "I really believe in the team we have now. Adding new players, I'm sure, will make them better. We have great leadership, so I'm not worried about leaving that behind. We'll have great seniors next year, too."
Said Lorentz: "They're up for doing even better than we've been doing. If they just keep working hard, they could make it to the conference finals – and even win it and go to the NCAAs."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Tuesday, September 01
Wednesday, August 26
Friday, August 21
Tuesday, April 21
