By Sam Firminhac, Athletic Communications
DES MOINES, Iowa – The Concordia University Men’s Tennis team couldn’t quite get its first win of the season, falling to Grand View University 4-3 on Wednesday (Feb. 23). The difference in the day was two doubles matches that ended in tiebreakers, both of which the Bulldogs lost, and another near miss in singles. The contest took place indoors at Genesis Health Club in Des Moines, Iowa.
Head Coach Cam Long’s squad slipped to 0-4 with the loss. Long sees a team that’s not far off from putting things together.
“There were a few unfortunate breaks that occurred that were out of our control,” Long said. “I'm proud of the way our guys battled through it. We were two points away from winning the match, but unfortunately, it went the other way.”
The No. 2 doubles team of Jack Kitson and Rojas Eduardo was the only doubles pair to get a win on Wednesday, triumphing 6-0. Eduardo Luzzi and Juan Rabellino (No. 1 doubles) lost 7-6 (7-5) and the No. 3 doubles team of Jeremiah Berryman and Joseph Bindl also fell in a tiebreaker, 7-6 (7-4).
The Bulldogs won three out of their six singles matches. No. 1 Issac Howes lost in a tiebreaker (6-1, 3-6, 1-0). In No. 5 singles, Rabellino also fell in a tiebreaker (4-6, 6-4, 1-0). Rojas Eduardo (No. 2), Jack Kitson (No. 4), and Joseph Bindl (No. 6) were able to come away with victories in their matches. The singles lineup also featured Shawn Springer at No. 3.
Concordia is scheduled to welcome Bethany College (Kan.) to Seward on Saturday (Feb. 26). Bethany is also looking for its first team win of the early season. Matches will get started at 1 p.m. CT.