Signs Of Improvement Continue On Opening Road Trip

DULUTH, Minn. (2/16/14)—The 2014 Concordia "Baby Steps" tour hit the road for the first time and lost a pair of non-conference matches but once again showed signs of improvement along the way.

First-year head coach Steve Futchko has been excited about the team's overall play so far but knows they have to tidy up their finishing skills. The Cobbers had chances to take control of doubles matches in both team events on the weekend but weren't able to close the deal and lost all six doubles bouts.

The Cobbers started the weekend by falling 9-0 at NCAA Division II opponent St. Cloud State. The No.2 doubles tandem of Zach Biggar and Even Jystad were close the entire match but wound up dropping an 8-5 heartbreaker. The No.3 doubles team of Sam Smith and Austin Storm also had chances to get up on their foes but would up on the wrong side of an 8-4 decision.

Smith had the tightest singles match on Saturday. He lost 7-5, 6-5 at No.3 singles.

On Sunday Concordia was even closer in doubles, lost all three and then had their momentum wane in singles play and lost 9-0 at St. Scholastica. All three doubles matches were decided by three or fewer games. Smith and Storm lost 8-6 at No.3 doubles in the closest bout of the day.

In singles play, the nail-biter match was played out at No.2 singles. Cobber sophomore Zach Zitur lost both sets by the minimum two games. He dropped the first set 6-4 and then lost 7-5 in the second set.

Concordia will look to improve on their finishing skills when they play at Carleton on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. The Cobbers will then head south to Florida to play four matches on their annual spring break trip. 


St. Cloud State University 9, Concordia-Moorhead 0
Feb 15, 2014 at Sartell, Minn. (Fitness Evolution Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Victor Kasak (SCSU) def. Jesse Schneeberger (CC) 6-0, 6-0
2. Joao Vitor Souto (SCSU) def. Zach Zitur (CC) 6-1, 6-4
3. Joao Orsi (SCSU) def. Sam Smith (CC) 6-4, 7-5
4. Daniel Becker (SCSU) def. Even Jystad (CC) 6-0, 6-2
5. Nathanial Cherry (SCSU) def. Zach Biggar (CC) 6-1, 6-1
6. Soufiane Moudfir (SCSU) def. Austin Storm (CC) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Joao Poli/Victor Kasak (SCSU) def. Jesse Schneeberger/Zach Zitur (CC) 8-0
2. Joao Vitor Souto/Joao Orsi (SCSU) def. Zach Biggar/Even Jystad (CC) 8-5
3. Nathanial Cherry/Christopher Mavetz (SCSU) def. Sam Smith/Austin Storm (CC) 8-4


St. Scholastica 9, Concordia (Minn.) 0
2/16/2014 at Duluth, MN (Arrowhead Tennis Center)

Singles competition
1. Josh Stainer (CSS) def. Jesse Schneeberger (CC) 6-1, 6-1
2. Nick Lambrecht (CSS) def. Zach Zitur (CC) 6-4, 7-5
3. Logan Engelstad (CSS) def. Sam Smith (CC) 6-0, 7-6 (8-6)
4. James Mack (CSS) def. Even Jystad (CC) 7-5, 6-0
5. Alex Mihailov (CSS) def. Zach Biggar (CC) 6-4, 6-2
6. Mike Fontana (CSS) def. Austin Storm (CC) 6-1, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Josh Stainer/James Mack (CSS) def. Jesse Schneeberger/Zach Zitur (CC) 8-5
2. Nick Lambrecht/Cullen Combs (CSS) def. Even Jystad/Zach Biggar (CC) 8-5
3. Tyler Bates/Dylan Kelly (CSS) def. Sam Smith/Austin Storm (CC) 8-6