SALINA, Kan. – Concordia University, Nebraska Tennis will have put more than 1,000 miles on the road over three days by the time it returns to Seward from the latest dual match. The journey has taken the men’s team from Seward to St. Louis, Mo., to Salina, Kan. In Salina on Sunday (March 8), The Bulldogs overcame their deficit after doubles with triumphs in five of six singles matches. Concordia defeated Kansas Wesleyan University, 5-2, at Salina Tennis Alliance Tennis Center.
Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squad went 2-1 on the weekend, leaving it at 10-2 overall. The Bulldogs continue to dominate on the singles court.
“We got off to a slow start – credit to Kansas Wesleyan,” Hart said. “They came out with a lot of energy and played very solid doubles. I think you learn a lot about a group when their backs are against the wall. We came out in singles, dug deep and found a way to win. Our team is a very close knit group and today it was evident in the way in which they showed heart and battled for each other. We have a lot of things to work on and I have no doubt our kids will put in the work and our best tennis is in front of us. I am very proud of this group and excited to see what we can accomplish this season.”
Concordia erased the 1-0 team deficit by winning at the 2 through 6 singles spots. The Bulldogs clinched their 10th win when sophomore Ben Chisholm toppled Paul Jittawait, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 4 singles. Concordia’s four other victors also won in two sets, including senior Nick Velders at No. 2 (6-1, 6-3), junior Daniel Caballeros at No. 3 (6-1, 6-1), freshman Leo Lopez at No. 5 (6-1, 6-0) and senior Santiago Abadia at No. 6 (7-6, 7-5). The Coyotes did manage to come out on top at No. 1, 6-4, 6-2, thanks to Alex Sherer.
Singles marked a complete reversal from doubles. KWU swept the doubles court, winning by respective scores of 6-3, 6-2 and 7-5. The groupings for the Bulldogs were made up of Hugo Fuentes and Ognjen Gajic at No. 1, Velders and Caballeros at No. 2 and Abadia and Chisholm at No. 3. The result marked the third time this season that Concordia has dropped the doubles point and then went on to earn the team victory.
The triumph over Kansas Wesleyan (3-4) is a quality one considering the Coyotes have defeated other GPAC opponents in Mount Marty, Doane and Hastings this spring. KWU finished last season with an 8-12 overall record.
In major statistical notes, Velders (10-0) and Lopez (9-0) remained undefeated this season in singles matches. As a team, Concordia owns a 51-15 singles record in dual matches.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to have the remainder of spring break off from competition while gearing up for a hectic finish to the nonconference schedule March 19-21 (one match each day). Concordia will host Seward County Community College on Thursday, March 19.