LINCOLN, Neb. – The College of Saint Mary tennis team got its first taste of conference action this weekend. The Flames played in the Great Plains Athletic Conference Individual Tournament Friday and Saturday.

Renee Acena (SO/Dubai, United Arab Emerates) was CSM's biggest highlight as she won the 'A' flight singles competition without losing a single set.

Acena had a bye in the opening round, then beat Morningside's Emily Clotfelter 6-2, 6-0, then knocked off Doane's Amber Weston 6-0, 6-0 and finally beat Midland's Arianna Lumanog 6-3, 6-4 in the finals.

Other bright spots for the Flames in the fall event include Regi Zakrzewski (SR/Columbus, Neb.) making the semifinals of the 'B' flight in singles which included avenging a loss to Grace Felder of Midland University; Acena and Jaclyn Negrete (SO/Papillion, Neb.) and Tessa Hurst (JR/Papillion, Neb.) and Zakrzewski making the semifinals in the 'A' doubles flight and Kaia Chiasson (JR/Thibodaux, La.) and Miranda Swanson (FR/Columbus, Neb.) qualifying for the 'B' flight semifinals in doubles play.

"This tournament is a good early test to see how we stack up to others in the conference at similar positions," CSM Coach Kim Gradoville said. "We advanced more people farther than we have in the past, which shows the strength of our team and our improvements from last year.

"Women's tennis in the conference is stronger than ever so it is very positive to compete well so early."