SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. – With the fate of the match falling into the hands of Grady Works once again, the senior, out of Lincoln Southwest, delivered to eliminate Northwestern (4-3) from a match resurgence. Dominant play from Nick Velders and Santiago Abadia helped push Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis to double digit wins on the season.
The Bulldogs are 10-6 overall and remain in the conference race with a 2-1 record.
“Proud of our team today,” Coach Hart said. “They continue to take care of business - doing a great job controlling the things they have control over.”
Tied with three points apiece, No. 4 Works found himself in the same situation as the Mount Marty match just 13 days before (March 23). Made for the moment, the Lincoln, Neb., native severed all hope with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2 triumph over Arthur Vicente. Works has reached a 9-3 singles record and is 2-0 in the fourth slot in the lineup.
The Bulldogs needed two more singles wins to even reach the match winner. Velders and Abadia came through with straight-set commanding victories. No. 2 Velders defeated David Bomgaars, 6-2, 6-3, and No. 6 Abadia gathered the only shutout (6-0, 6-0) over Tanner Laube. Velders claimed his 15th win (15-1) and Abadia his eighth (8-6) in singles this year.
In doubles, Concordia reigned with a sweep in duo play. No. 2s Abadia and Ben Chisholm reached their 11th pairing win over Mateo Flores and Collin Harmelink. No. 3s Works and Manuel Rodriguez defeated Vicente and Laube, 6-0, with No.1s Hugo Fuentes and Velders winning 6-2 over Bomgaars and Jose Calderon.
No. 1 Fuentes, No. 3 Chisholm and No. 5 Joseph Melzer all competed in singles play.
Concordia (10-6, 2-1 GPAC) will face off against an in-state foe, Hastings (3-10, 0-3 GPAC), on Wednesday in Seward. The Broncos and Bulldogs will start doubles play at 11 a.m. CT at the Bulldog Tennis Courts. CUNE has had the upper hand in the last four matchups, falling last in 2019.