BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – In its final outing prior to this weekend’s conference championships, the Concordia University men’s tennis team road-tripped to Baldwin City, Kan., for a Monday (April 22) afternoon match with Baker University. The Bulldogs won four of six singles matches, but could not quite dig out from a 3-0 hole after doubles. The host Wildcats emerged with a 5-4 victory.
Coaches David DeSimone and Nikita Kostikov have collaborated for a squad that has concluded the regular season at 9-9 overall (3-3 GPAC).
In its two previous contests, Concordia had cruised past Mount Marty, 9-0, and Wartburg College (Iowa), 8-1. This time around, the Bulldogs struggled to get the results they wanted in doubles. They dropped the Nos. 1 and 3 doubles matches by identical 8-5 scores and fell at No. 2, 8-4.
In continuing a theme this season, Concordia picked up its play in singles. Bulldog wins were produced at No. 2 by junior Luke Zoller, at No. 3 by sophomore Jeremy Berryman, at No. 4 by freshman Isaac Howes and at No. 6 by freshman Joseph Bindl. Howes is now even with senior Connor Works for a team high 11 singles victories this season. Baker (4-11) clinched the team win by taking decisions at the Nos. 1 and 5 singles positions.
Up next are the GPAC Championships this Friday and Saturday at Fremont High School in Fremont, Neb. Unofficially, the Bulldogs will be the No. 4 seed in the six-team bracket that features a single-elimination format. The top two seeds receive byes into the semifinals.