March 15, 1996

by Dan Crowe

The men's tennis team has begun this season with some fresh faces. There are thirteen first-year students on the team with three seniors returning: Ryan Myhre, Eric Olson and Sacha Yasseri. The team has had a slow start with a 4-1 record, but are talented and highly motivated.

Last Monday they faced Macalester College with sophomores Eric Nielson and Mike Tuchscherer winning their doubles match with a tight score of 7-5, 6-4. The final score of the meet was Macalester 8 and Concordia 1.

The Cobbers have lost three seniors from their 7-11 '94-'95 season, and are in the rebuilding process. The men's team will face returning champion Gustavus on March 23 in Moorhead.

The Cobber men's tennis team placed eighth in the MIAC Tournament last year with first-year student Eric Holmstrom leading the team with a 12-7 record. Look for the men's tennis team to pick it up to a successful season.

The women's tennis team got in gear on Saturday facing last year's MIAC champions Gustavus. The Gusties overwhelmed the Cobbers with an 8-1 victory. Sophomore Stacy Bauck defeated Laura Shelby in a three-set match 6-4, 2-6, 6-1.

The women's team is coming off a 9-10 season with one senior, Andrea Iverson, and five juniors.

The team had a successful season last year with a 9-10 record overall and a 5-6 MIAC standing. The women placed seventh in the MIAC tournament with junior Heather Sandberg as the team leader in standings with a 12-7 record. Close behind were juniors Molly Hansen and Sarah Shelly with 10-10.

This is Kathy Wall's second season coaching women's tennis after Dr. Pavec's 23-year coaching reign. Wall, a Concordia graduate, knows the ins and outs of the Cobber tennis program and looks to lead the team to a successful season.

This weekend the team will be traveling to St. Olaf on Friday and third-ranked St. Ben's on Saturday.