South Dakota Women's Tennis Wraps Up Non-Conference Schedule

Coyotes face Creighton and No. 37 Kansas in final non-league matches

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:23pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's tennis match, with overlapping planes of muted green, brown, and blue hues.A cubist interpretation of the intensity and movement of a women's tennis match, reflecting the Coyotes' non-conference challenges as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.Vermillion Today

After playing back-to-back Summit League matchups, the South Dakota Women's Tennis team went on the road to finish their non-conference schedule, facing Creighton and No. 37 Kansas. The Coyotes lost both matches, falling 5-2 to Creighton and 4-0 to the Jayhawks, but will now turn their attention to the final three Summit League matchups of the season.

Why it matters

The non-conference schedule allows the Coyotes to test themselves against different opponents and prepare for the critical Summit League matches that will determine their postseason fate. While the losses to Creighton and Kansas were disappointing, the experience will help the team as they look to finish the regular season strong in conference play.

The details

Against Creighton, the Coyotes lost the doubles point despite a win by the duo of senior Selena Bird and freshman Ava Doddridge. Bird and sophomore Kayleigh Didderiens won their singles matches, but South Dakota ultimately fell 5-2. In the match against No. 37 Kansas, the Coyotes again lost the doubles point and were swept in singles, with Bird losing to a ranked opponent. Three singles matches went unfinished as Kansas won 4-0.

  • The Coyotes played Creighton in Omaha.
  • South Dakota then faced the No. 37 Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kansas, on April 3.
  • The Coyotes will finish the season with three more Summit League matchups, starting with the Omaha Mavericks on Friday, April 10, in Vermillion.

The players

Selena Bird

A senior on the South Dakota Women's Tennis team who won her singles match against Creighton and lost to a ranked opponent against Kansas.

Ava Doddridge

A freshman on the South Dakota Women's Tennis team who teamed up with Selena Bird to win their doubles match against Creighton.

Kayleigh Didderiens

A sophomore on the South Dakota Women's Tennis team who won her singles match against Creighton.

Creighton

The opponent South Dakota faced in their first non-conference match, losing 5-2.

Kansas Jayhawks

The No. 37 ranked opponent South Dakota faced in their second non-conference match, losing 4-0.

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What’s next

The Coyotes will finish the season with three more Summit League matchups, starting with the Omaha Mavericks on Friday, April 10, in Vermillion.

The takeaway

While the losses to Creighton and Kansas were disappointing, the non-conference schedule allowed the South Dakota Women's Tennis team to prepare for the critical Summit League matches that will determine their postseason fate. The Coyotes will look to finish the regular season strong in conference play.