YANKTON, S.D. – In conference action, the Concordia University Men’s Tennis team breezed through doubles play in Yankton, S.D., on Thursday (March 31). The strong start propelled the Bulldogs to a 6-1 road win over Mount Marty. Concordia won each of the doubles contests by 6-0 decisions before taking five of six singles matches.
Head Coach Cam Long’s squad has started 2-0 in conference play having also defeated Morningside, 4-3, last week. The Bulldogs have improved to 4-6 overall.
“It was good to have the guys get the job done today,” Long said. “We are looking to keep the momentum going tomorrow and Saturday.”
The only blemish on Thursday for Concordia was a tight defeat in three sets at No. 1 singles, where Isaac Howes was edged out. That was really the only drama in a match dominated by the Bulldogs. The victorious doubles teams for Concordia included Eduardo Luzzi and Jeremiah Berryman at No. 1, Jack Kitson and Juan Rabellino at No. 2 and Bindl and Howes at No. 3. Luzzi had just been named the GPAC Player of the Week on Wednesday.
The Bulldogs triumphed handily at the Nos. 2 through 6 singles spots. Those positions in the lineup were manned by Shawn Springer at No. 2, Bindl at No. 3, Manuel Rodriguez at No. 4, Rabellino at No. 5 and Berryman at No. 6. Rabellino won by a spotless score of 6-0, 6-0, and Springer and Berryman dropped only one game apiece. Meanwhile, Bindl won, 6-1, 6-1, and Rodriguez took care of business, 6-3, 6-1.
The Lancers fell to 0-6 overall (0-3 GPAC). In recent conference action, Mount Marty was also tripped up by Midland and Hastings. Mount Marty has a competitive No. 1 player in Jeronimo Wagner, who earned his side’s only team point over Concordia.
The Bulldogs will be at home the next two days while hosting NCAA Division III Central College (Iowa) at 4 p.m. CT on Friday and Northwestern (7-3, 0-0 GPAC) at roughly 1:30 p.m. on Saturday (following the women’s match). Concordia’s most recent home match occurred on March 16 when it hosted Bethel College (Kan.).