New Era Begins With Uphill Battle
MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/06/14)—It's a new era for the Cobber men's tennis team as first-year head coach Steve Futchko is set to put his stamp on the program. Futchko, a California native, will face an uphill battle as Concordia was tabbed to finish 10th in the annual MIAC preseason coaches' poll.
Futchko inherits a program that finished 1-8 in 2013 and placed ninth in the final MIAC standings. The Cobbers posted a 4-13 overall record last season.
Complete 2014 MIAC Men's Tennis Preview
Futchko will be counting on the "Zach Attack" to carry the team in 2014. The sophomore Zach tandem of Zach Biggar and Zach Zitur are the only returning players who have experience from a year ago. Zitur led the team in singles wins in 2013 from his position as the team's No.5 singles spot. He will be called upon to move up in the line-up and continue his first-year success. Biggar was the team's No.6 singles player and was fourth on the squad in singles wins.
Another returning player who saw playing time last year on the doubles side is sophomore Austin Storm. Storm paired with Biggar as the team's No.3 doubles tandem in 2013.
Concordia will open play in 2014 on Saturday, Feb. 8 when they host Hamline at Courts Plus in Fargo at 2:30 p.m. The Cobbers will have three other matches before embarking on their annual spring break trip to Florida. CC will square off against four opponents around the Tampa area from Feb. 24-Mar. 1.
Futchko inherits a program that finished 1-8 in 2013 and placed ninth in the final MIAC standings. The Cobbers posted a 4-13 overall record last season.
Futchko will be counting on the "Zach Attack" to carry the team in 2014. The sophomore Zach tandem of Zach Biggar and Zach Zitur are the only returning players who have experience from a year ago. Zitur led the team in singles wins in 2013 from his position as the team's No.5 singles spot. He will be called upon to move up in the line-up and continue his first-year success. Biggar was the team's No.6 singles player and was fourth on the squad in singles wins.
Another returning player who saw playing time last year on the doubles side is sophomore Austin Storm. Storm paired with Biggar as the team's No.3 doubles tandem in 2013.
Concordia will open play in 2014 on Saturday, Feb. 8 when they host Hamline at Courts Plus in Fargo at 2:30 p.m. The Cobbers will have three other matches before embarking on their annual spring break trip to Florida. CC will square off against four opponents around the Tampa area from Feb. 24-Mar. 1.