GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Tennis turned in a commanding performance Friday (Feb. 21) at the Grand Island Tennis Center, defeating Ottawa University, 6-1, to remain unbeaten on the season. Daniel Caballeros clinched the fourth team point to officially secure the match for the Bulldogs.
Head Coach Lisa Hart and the side are 5-0 early in the spring campaign. In match points earned, CUNE has won 30 of 35 in its undefeated run thus far.
The Bulldogs seized control early by claiming five of six singles matches and two of three doubles contests. At No. 2 singles, Nick Velders cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Daniel Caballeros fought back from a first-set deficit to secure a 4-6, 6-0, 10-7 win at No. 3.
Ben Chisholm added a straight-sets triumph at No. 4, 6-3, 6-2, continuing Concordia’s steady momentum.
The lower half of the lineup proved equally dangerous. Leo Lopez earned a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 5, and Santiago Abadia followed with a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 6, giving the Bulldogs four singles points in straight sets. Ottawa’s lone point came at No. 1 singles, where a tightly contested three-set match slipped away from Concordia in a 1-6, 6-4 (8) super tiebreak.
In doubles play, Concordia performed well with decisive wins at the No. 2 and No. 3 positions. The duo of No. 2s Chisholm and Velders rolled to a 6-1 victory, while No. 3s Caballeros and Abadia posted a dominant 6-0 result to help secure the team outcome.
With the win, the Bulldogs (5-0) continued their strong early-season momentum but will be put to the test in less than 24 hours. Concordia is set to face Baker University (Kan.) and University of Saint Mary (Kan.) at Genesis Health Club in Lawrence, Kan. The match against the Wildcats begins at noon CT, followed by a 5 p.m. CT contest versus the Spires.