SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Men’s Tennis moved the dual versus Northwestern inside to Walz Fieldhouse after an uncharacteristically windy day in Seward. The Bulldogs got ahead in doubles play but had to claw out the Red Raiders in the 4-3 final. Hugo Fuentes, Manuel Rodriguez and Michael Bedrosian finished with two wins against the visitors. Concordia is 6-10 in the season and 1-2 in the conference.
Head Coach Lisa Hart commented on the importance of doubles play versus Northwestern.
“Awesome team win today-everyone contributed. The doubles point was very important and wound up being the difference for us. We played our best doubles of the season, and it helped us clinch our first team win in the conference.”
Mitch Krumm and Grady Works at No. 3s, finished their opponents with lightening speed in the 6-1 doubles set. No. 1s Hugo Fuentes and Manuel Rodriguez defeated David Bomgaars and Jorge Menendez (6-3) grabbing the doubles point. Santi Abadia and Bedrosian followed suit with a 6-3 set over Mateo Flores and Leandro Costa.
No.1 Fuentes continued his great start with a blistering win (6-2, 6-2) over Menendez. No. 2 Rodriguez went to a three set match but took control in the deciding round (6-4, 4-6, 6-1) over Bomgaars.
With three Bulldogs falling to Red Raiders, No. 5 Bedrosian was needed to finish off the visitors inside Walz. The Fowler, Calif., native stepped on the gas to run down a match point (6-2, 6-1) in his match and for the team.
Others in singles were Abadia (No. 3), Works (No. 4) and Krumm (No. 6).
Northwestern stays winless (0-2) in the conference and moves down to 6-6 overall. They were led by Flores (No. 3), Costa (No. 4) and Collin Harmelink (No. 6). They face Morningside next in Orange City on Tuesday.
Concordia (6-10, 1-2 GPAC) will face off against Doane (8-8, 0-0 GPAC) in Crete, Neb. on Wednesday. First toss is set for 4:30 p.m. CT.