OMAHA, Neb. – A conference title bid fell short for Concordia University, Nebraska on Saturday as it dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 14 Morningside in the GPAC Men’s Tennis Championship at Genesis Westroads. The Bulldogs finish their season with a new win record of 17-5 in the 2026 campaign.
“This team has worked so hard this year, they have stayed united,” Head Coach Lisa Hart said. “They represented Concordia and our tennis program with class. Our seniors have been incredible to coach and we are going to miss them dearly.”
The Bulldogs had their hands full against a Mustangs squad that entered the match with a 21-4 record and finished as the regular-season conference champs.
Morningside gained the early edge by taking the doubles point. At No. 1, Daniel Caballeros and Leo Lopez were defeated by Marcos Menendez and Alexis Diaz, 3-6, while Ben Chisholm and Ognjen Gajic fell to Mathys Arnold and Jesse Gerth,1-6, at No. 3.
In singles action, Concordia competed well across the lineup, but Morningside clinched the match with three completed victories. Hugo Fuentes dropped a 2-6, 2-6 decision to the ITA-ranked Menendez at No. 1. At No. 4 and No. 5, Leo Lopez and Ben Chisholm were each defeated in straight sets by Gerth and Santiago Minetti, respectively, both by 1-6, 2-6 scores.
The Bulldogs were in strong position in multiple unfinished matches. Nick Velders rolled to a 6-0 first-set win at No. 2 and was tied 3-3 in the second against Diaz. While being unable to have time to finish his singles and doubles matches, Velders remains tied for Concordia top wins in singles (19) and doubles (16) in a season.
Daniel Caballeros claimed the opening set (6-4) at No. 3 before play was halted, and No. 6 Ognjen Gajic was even at 4-4 in the second set after dropping the first (0-6).
The Bulldogs will lose major players from the lineup from this campaign with many singles career wins. Velders (38), Santiago Abadia (36), Hugo Fuentes (27), and Michael Bedrosian (20).
Although the result did not go its way, Concordia closes the season with 17 wins and a trip to the GPAC Championship match. The Bulldogs remained among the conference’s top contenders throughout the year and showed depth and resilience across the lineup.
The appearance in the title match provides a foundation that the program will look to build upon heading into next season of 2027.