SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis will welcome the defending GPAC champion Morningside Mustangs to Seward on Thursday (March 25). The Bulldogs went 3-0 this past weekend, defeating Kansas Wesleyan University, 6-1, Avila University (Mo.), 7-0, and Mount Marty, 4-3, in their conference opener. Head Coach Lisa Hart and company have a 9-5 record and a 1-0 GPAC showing.
Thursday, March 27 vs. Morningside (13-1), 12 p.m.
--Live Updates: @cunebulldogs X/Formerly Twitter | Location: Bulldog Tennis Courts (Seward, Neb.)
Concordia has won seven of its last eight matches and is playing its best tennis to date. After falling to Mount Marty twice (0-7, 2-5) last season, the Bulldogs have answered the bell with a 5-2 win (non-conference) in February and a 4-3 triumph for conference play. Down 1-3, the improved side won at No. 2, 5 and 6 singles to claim the comeback. No. 5 Grady Works won in decisive fashion (6-3, 6-2) to clinch the opening GPAC match.
For the week, Works went 2-0 in singles and 1-1 in doubles play. The Lincoln Southwest product won his match 6-4, 6-1 versus the Eagles. He has an 8-2 record with a 4-0 record at No. 6 singles.
Nick Velders continues to dominate at No. 2 singles, going 3-0 over the weekend, pushing his lone play showing to 13-1 this season. Ranked No. 45 in NAIA ITA singles in the March 13 release, Velders has yet to give up a match since. He won 37 games to his last three opponents' 12.
In Coach Hart’s first season, the Mustangs defeated the Bulldogs 7-0, on their way to a conference title. Manuel Rodriguez took a win against Morningside in 2023 at No. 5 singles.
Upcoming Opponent
The Mustangs are 13-1 and open conference play against Hastings on Tuesday. Morningside defeated common opponents No. 22 McPherson (7-0) and Ottawa University (Kan.), 5-2. The Mustangs bring back Mark Trenkle and Santiago Minetti from last year’s starting lineup. Head Coach Alex Struck is in his fourth year as the top man for MSIDE.
Up next
Concordia will have over a week to prepare for Northwestern next Saturday (April 5). The Bulldogs will travel to face the Red Raiders in Orange City.