SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia hosted another tennis dual on Sunday (Mar. 3), going through their third in four days, this time against Iowa Central Community College. The two teams competed at the Bulldog Tennis Courts and the Tritons came prepared, defeating the Bulldogs in a shutout (0-7). With the loss, Concordia falls back to 4-6 and will now step into conference play in two days.
Head Coach Lisa Hart commented on the strength of ICCC and how the team continues to grow together in a team mindset.
“Iowa Central is an extremely strong program. They have beaten a lot of great teams this season. I’m very proud of the way our players have bought into what we are doing and have embraced the team concept. We are getting better every match. Excited to face Mount Marty on Tuesday - our players are excited about another opportunity to get on the court and compete.”
No. 1 Hugo Fuentes found himself down after the first set (4-6) but rose to the occasion against Hod’Abalo Isak Padio pushing for a 6-3 second set triumph. The strong willed Bulldog out of Denia, Spain, wasn't finished and pushed the tiebreaker set past 10 in a 10-12 loss. Fuentes is still looking for his first singles win, after sliding up to the No.1 slot this season.
Santi Abadia at No. 2, made it tough on Amen Prince Gandonou taking seven games but lost in straight sets (4-6, 3-6). Manuel Rodriguez faced off against Caleb Peterson in a back and forth bout but the Triton got the better of Rodriguez, 1-6, 2-6.
Others competing in singles included Grady Works (No. 4), Michale Bedrosian (No. 5) and Mitch Krumm (No. 6).
All three of the doubles teams were bested as the teams were Luke Johnson and Grady Works (No. 3s), Abadia and Bedrosian (No. 2s) and Fuentes and Rodriguez (No. 1s).
Iowa Central moves up to 9-1, showing a great level of tennis for any level of college. As a young team, the Tritons will continue to have success and will face McHenry County College (Ill.) on Saturday.
Concordia (4-6) is set to play Mount Marty (6-2) in Lincoln, Neb. at the Woods Tennis Center on Tuesday (Mar. 5). First toss is set for 11 a.m. CT. The two teams have already faced twice, once in the fall and in spring, counted as non-conference bouts for the records. The Lancers took both duals giving up only one point to the Bulldogs.