Playoffs? Yes, We're Talking Playoffs
FARGO, N.D. (4/22/18)---Yes Jim Mora, Concordia is talking about playoffs. Sophomore David Youngs' win at No.4 singles clinched the Cobbers' win over Hamline and pushed Concordia into the conference playoffs for the first time since 2011.
Youngs closed out the team match with a 6-1, 6-4 win to give Concordia its fifth team point in the match. The Cobbers would claim one more singles bout as they beat the Pipers 6-3. The victory not only clinched a playoff berth but also avenged a 7-2 loss to Hamline in 2017.
"I am so excited for this team," commented head coach Joseph Murrey. "Every athlete worked hard during the preseason and winter months to get the program back to the playoffs. I am very proud of what they have accomplished."
Concordia (10-10/5-4 MIAC) knew going into the match that they would need only one win over the Pipers to clinch their third MIAC playoff spot since the league went to a limited postseason tournament in 2007.
The Cobbers started the playoff-clinching match by winning two of the three doubles bouts. Erik Porter and David Schneck cruised to an 8-2 win at No.2 doubles and then Matthew Engum and Ben Swanson won their second straight doubles match by posting an 8-4 victory at No.3 doubles.
Sophomore Jared Saue started the singles win parade by bolting to a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No.3 singles. For Saue it was his fourth singles win in his last five conference matches.
Erik Porter then set the stage for Youngs with a win at No.2 singles. Porter also came away with a straight-set victory as he won 6-4, 6-2. Like Saue it was also his fourth MIAC victory in the last five bouts.
Youngs won the match with his victory at No. 4 singles and then senior Isaac Toivonen added the cherry on top of the playoff sundae when he edged out his opponent at No.1 singles in the most dramatic match of the day.
Toivonen lost the opening set 6-2 at No.1 singles and then found his edge late in the second set to come away with a 7-6 (8-6) win in the second set. Toivonen then held serve and finished off his match 10-7 in the super-set tie-breaker.
The win is Toivonen's team-leading 11th of the season and he has now won five straight conference matches. Toivonen is 6-3 in MIAC play.
WHAT'S NEXT: Concordia will host Martin Luther in the regular-season finale on Saturday, Apr. 28 and then play at the No.4 seed on Wednesday, May 2.
Concordia-M'head 6, Hamline University 3
Apr 22, 2018 at Fargo, N.D. (Courts Plus)
Singles competition
1. Isaac Toivonen (CC) def. Jake Trondson (HUM) 2-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-7
2. Erik Porter (CC) def. Matt Seracki (HUM) 6-4, 6-2
3. Jared Saue (CC) def. Christopher Bale (HUM) 6-1, 6-1
4. David Youngs (CC) def. Brandon Kuether (HUM) 6-1, 6-4
5. Gabriel Guarin (HUM) def. Matthew Engum (CC) 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 10-7
6. Ben Klimek (HUM) def. David Schneck (CC) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Jake Trondson/Matt Seracki (HUM) def. Isaac Toivonen/David Youngs (CC) 8-2
2. Erik Porter/David Schneck (CC) def. Christopher Bale/Brandon Kuether (HUM) 8-2
3. Matthew Engum/Ben Swanson (CC) def. Gabriel Guarin/Ben Klimek (HUM) 8-4