So Close In Season Opener

FARGO, N.D. (2/08/14)—Concordia's 2014 season opener turned into the old cliché "close only counts in horseshoes." The Cobbers had several "close" matches go the wrong way and lost 6-3 to Hamline.

"We had chances to win in a doubles match and singles match and couldn't close it out," said head coach Steve Futchko. "That's the way tennis goes, a couple of key points can turn a whole match."

The biggest swing match of the night came at No.2 doubles where Concordia was leading 6-4 and up 40-love but wound up losing 8-6. That match would have given the Cobbers a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.

Concordia freshman Sam Smith helped gather two of the three team wins as he posted victories in both his No.3 doubles bout and No.3 singles match. "Sam was great for playing in his first college matches," commented Futchko. "Most young players would show a serious case of the nerves but he was consistent in both his doubles and singles matches. He will be fun to watch for four years."

Smith paired with sophomore Austin Storm to come out with an 8-5 win in doubles and then recorded a 7-5, 6-3 straight set victory at No.3 singles.

Another Cobber newcomer earned the other singles win for CC. Even Jystad battled through the tightest match of the night, saved off four match points and posted 12-10 win in the super-set tiebreaker. Jystad won the first set 6-4 but then dropped the second set 6-2.

Concordia will now start their weekly weekend match schedule as they prepare for their annual spring break trip to Florida. The Cobbers will square off St. Cloud St. and St. Scholastica next weekend in a pair of away matches.