SEWARD, Neb. – Coming out of their cages for their first showing, the Bulldogs punished Sterling College (Kan.) early winning the first five points for the 6-1 team victory on Saturday (Feb. 7). Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis continued where they left off in conference play last season with a red-hot swing as GPAC player of the year Velders clinched the needed victory to seal the contest.
Head Coach Lisa Hart and company start the season going 1-0.
“We have been playing at a very high level in practice and it was great to see that transfer to our match today,” Coach Hart said. “Our guys continue to make one another better and their team chemistry is the best I’ve ever seen. They will have three matches in 5 days next week, so we will take a day and then get busy with our preparation for those three matches.”
The chemistry was palpable as the Dawgs’ No. 2 doubles Ben Chisholm and Velders squashed (6-0) their competition, Kazuki Fukushima and Rubem Bogomoltz, in record time. With the doubles tally clinched, No. 1s Hugo Fuentes and newcomer Daniel Caballeros completed the sweep over Fernando Vargas Sanchez and Pedro Felipoff, 6-1.
The All-America Velders imposed his will in match versus No. 2 Felipoff dealing a match-clinching win in consecutive sets (6-1, 6-1). His last season’s success has not slowed him down as he adds one more to his total. Before Velders, the Aussie Chisholm crushed (6-0, 6-0) Adam King without surrendering a game point. The sophomore Chisholm soared in doubles last season and has shown improved singles play.
Fresh faced Daniel Caballeros at No. 3, came out strong in set one (6-2) and had to finish off a pesky Bogomoltz in the second set (7-5) victory. No. 5 Michael Bedrosian had a battle with opposite set scores (7-5, 6-2) over Fukushima taking the sixth point triumph of the match.
Fuentes competed at No. 1 singles.
Concordia (1-0) will face off against Pratt Community College on Thursday (Feb. 12) at the Walz Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs’ first serve is set for 2 p.m. CT in Seward.