Hello 2016, Goodbye MIAC Losing Skid

FARGO, N.D. (2/06/16)-- It only took one match to break the streak. Concordia used a 6-3 win over Hamline in the season opener to snap a 21-match conference losing skid.

The Cobbers took a pair of doubles matches and four singles bouts to earn their first win in MIAC play since Apr. 13, 2013.

"I really like the way our guys finished." commented head coach Steve Futchko. "Last year we struggled with end-match situations and today we really played well when the matches were on the line."

The two swing matches of the team bout came at No.2 and No.3 singles where both David Schneck and Zach Zitur won in the super-set tie-breaker. Schneck won the first set in the No.2 spot 6-2. He then dropped the second set 6-2 before roaring back to claim a 10-5 win in the super-set.

Zitur stormed back after losing the first set 6-3 at No.3 singles. He then rolled to a 6-1 win in the second set and used that momentum to earn a 10-6 victory in the super-set.

Both Schneck and Zitur were also key contributors in the two doubles wins. Schneck teamed with No.1 singles player Isaac Toivonen to win 8-5 at No.1 doubles. Zitur was partnered with Matthew Engum and the tandem won 8-3 at No.2 doubles.

Toivonen also eased his way to a straight set 6-3, 6-4 win at No.1 singles.

Junior Jesse Schneeberger was the other singles victor for the Cobbers. Schneeberger also won in straight sets at No.4 singles. He battled to a 7-5 win in the first set and then closed out his opponent 6-1 in the second set.

"It's been fun to see the team's improvement from last season," added Futchko. "It's amazing how much a year of college experience can help the players."

SOPHOMORE JINX, MOPHOMORE MINX
Don't tell Isaac Toivonen there is such a thing as a sophomore jinx. Toivonen backed up his MIAC All-Conference season as a freshman with a pair of wins in his second season. Toivonen has now won four of his last five singles matches dating back to last season and is now 7-4 in MIAC singles play in the first 11 matches of his college career.

SCHNEEBERGER, SCHNEEBERGER, CHEEPS, CHEEPS
Jesse Schneeberger has been chomping at the bit to start the season. Schneeberger was the hottest player on the CC team at the end of last season. He won his last four matches against Division III opponents last season and made it five straight with his season-opening win on Saturday. He started last year with eight straight losses but has won five of six since.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Cobbers will look to continue their success when they hit the road for a pair of conference matches next weekend. CC will play at Bethel on Saturday, Feb. 13 and then head north to take on St. John's on Sunday, Feb. 14.

Concordia-Moorhead 6, Hamline 3
Feb 06, 2016 at Fargo, N.D. (Courts Plus)

Singles competition
1. Isaac Toivonen (CC) def. David Yanagita (HU) 6-3, 6-4
2. David Schneck (CC) def. Cody Jahrig (HU) 6-2, 2-6 , 10-5
3. Zach Zitur (CC) def. Matt Seracki (HU) 3-6, 6-1, 10-6
4. Jesse Schneeberger (CC) def. Gabe Guarin (HU) 7-5, 6-1
5. Ben Ekstein (HU) def. Matthew Engum (CC) 6-0, 6-3
6. Ben Klimek (HU) def. Austin Storm (CC) 6-2, 2-6, 10-4

Doubles competition
1. Isaac Toivonen/Davis Schneck (CC) def. David Yanagita/Cody Jahrig (HU) 8-5
2. Zach Zitur/Matthew Engum (CC) def. Matt Seracki/Ben Klimek (HU) 8-3
3. Gabe Guarin/Sam Peterson (HU) def. Austin Storm/Jesse Schneeberger (CC) 8-2