SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis will have two important matchups to try and hold serve in the GPAC standings. The Bulldogs will host Hastings on Wednesday (April 9), then travel to Midland later in the week. Coach Lisa Hart and the boys defeated Northwestern (4-3) and are 10-6 overall and 2-1 in the GPAC.
Wednesday, April 9 vs. Hastings (3-11, 0-4 GPAC), 11 a.m.
--Live Updates: @cunebulldogs X/Formerly Twitter | Location: Bulldog Tennis Courts (Seward, Neb.)
Friday, April 11 at Midland (6-9, 2-1 GPAC), 8 a.m.
--Live Updates: @cunebulldogs X/Formerly Twitter | Location: Fremont YMCA (Fremont, Neb.)
The Bulldogs needed Grady Works to pull off another match-clinching triumph and the senior, out of Lincoln, Neb., delivered yet again. After falling in his first set (3-6), Works took a gut punching tie breaker second set, 7-6(5), then continued his momentum into the third (6-2). The Bulldogs swept doubles play and relied on No. 2 Nick Velders (6-2, 6-3) and No. 6 Santiago Abadia (6-0, 6-0) to get the first three points.
Nick Velders is one triumph away from tying the single season program record for singles wins (16) as he has totaled 15 wins through 16 matches. The current record holders are Jeremy Jank (2009-10) and Gabe Pohling (2016-17). With two bouts upcoming, Velders will have a chance to tie and become the lone record holder.
Santiago Abadia has posted 12 wins in doubles this season and has the ability to tie a program record for doubles wins. Tim Marshall and Glen Gutz (1992-93) punched out 14 wins and have held the highest in doubles wins ever since. Abadia has mainly teamed up with newcomer Ben Chisholm to gather 11 wins (11-3) and has one win with Manuel Rodriguez as his partner.
The standings are air tight for second place, but Morningside (5-0) has jumped out in front, looking to defend its GPAC championship. Concordia, Mount Marty and Midland are 2-1, seeking to take the No. 2 spot and eventually clinch the first round bye in the conference tournament. Doane (1-2), Northwestern (0-3) and Hastings (0-4) fill out the bottom of the table. This makes the Midland match an even bigger contest with a win at Hastings.
Opponents
The Broncos are 3-11 overall and 0-4 in the conference. With two GPAC matches left, Hastings will look to garner its first win against other league foes. The Broncos have Concordia, Northwestern and Nebraska Wesleyan University left on their schedule.
The Warriors are 6-9 overall and 2-1 in the GPAC. Midland fell in a tough conference opener against No. 18 Morningside (2-5). Since, MU defeated Northwestern (4-3) and Hastings (6-1). Joren Stevens and Ben Starman remain the constants for the Fremont roster, as the two combine for a 6-0 singles record in league play.
Next
Concordia will finish off the season hosting Doane at the Bulldog Tennis Courts in Seward. The match is set for Wednesday (April 16).