Men's squad splits day one at CIT Tournament

The Concordia University, Nebraska, men's tennis team split matches against Concordia University, Wisconsin and Greenville in the opening day of action at the Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT) in St. Louis, Mo. on Friday, March 30.

The Bulldogs began action on Friday with closely contested 7-2 loss to Concordia University, Wisconsin.  The Bulldogs rebounded shortly thereafter to down tournament host, Greenville College, 7-2.

Following Friday's action, the Bulldogs were 4-5 on the season, while Greenville was 6-4 and Concordia University, Wisconsin was 2-9.  

The first contest of the day, against the Falcons, saw four singles matches and one doubles match go to a tiebreaker.  Concordia University, Nebraska, fell in three of the five tiebreakers which ultimately was the difference.  The Bulldogs two victories came at the fifth singles spot and in the third doubles position.  

Junior Cole Eggar (Galva, Iowa) defeated Nathan Hoeppner (CON-WI) 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7) at the No. 5 singles slot.  Sophomores Michael McCartney (Davenport, Iowa) and Joe Vanderveld (Lake Ozark, Mo.) earned the win at the third doubles spot, 8-7 (7-4) over the Falcons' Hoeppner and Tanner Hahn.

The second match of the day was much more fruitful for the Bulldogs.  Concordia claimed two of the three doubles matches to build a 2-1 lead.  The Bulldogs seemed to build upon their battle with the Falcons earlier by taking five of the six singles matches against the Panthers, including all three that went to tiebreaks. 

Eggar continued to shine with a 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-8) win over  Ryan Haas at the five spot, while sophomore Nathan Wingfield (Greendale, Wis.) claimed a one-sided 6-2, 6-0 win over Andrew Herlein at the third singles position.  

The Bulldogs conclude play in the CIT Tournament on Saturday, March 31 with a match against Concordia Seminary at 10:30 a.m.