RIPON, WIS. - The Concordia University Chicago Cougars faced two tough challenges in back-to-back matches, with similar outcomes. Against Ripon, the Cougars fell 5-2, with highlight performances from two Cougars. Against Dubuque, the Cougars fell 7-0 despite three different Cougars battling into tiebreakers.
MATCH ONE: 5-2 L vs Ripon
Doubles:
- In the first doubles match, Collin Dickey (Frisco, Texas) and Reynaldo Leal (Weslaco, Texas) lost 6-3.
- In the second match, Kyle Pelzek (Hales Corner, Wis.) and Kevin Bullens (River Forest, Ill.) were defeated 6-1.
- In the third doubles match, Sam Smith (Munster, Ind.) and Nathan Stringer (Milwaukee, Wis.) lost 6-2, keeping the Cougars scoreless heading into singles.
Singles
- Leal fought hard but was ultimately defeated 6-7, 1-6, 0-10 in a closely contested match.
- However, Smith clinched a 7-6, 6-4 win while Diego Loveshe (Franklin Park, Ill.) dominated in his match with a 7-5, 6-0 victory.
- CUC won two of the six singles matches, highlighting strong performances from Smith and Loveshe.
MATCH TWO: 7-0 L vs Dubuque
Doubles:
- In the first and second doubles matches, CUC lost both, with Dubuque winning 6-2 and 6-3.
- However, in the third doubles match, Bullens and Pelzek triumphed 6-3, claiming a victory for the team in this segment.
- Despite the Cougars picking up a victory in doubles, they would head into the singles matches scoreless overall, trailing Dubuque 1-0.
Singles:
- Dubuque dominated in the singles, but Bullens fought back in his match, falling in the first set, before securing the second set 6-1, but ultimately lost in a tiebreaker 10-2.
- In a tough match, Smith lost 7-6 before winning set two 4-6, and ultimately falling 10-1 in the tiebreaker.
- Loveshe lost in a similarly close match, 6-4, 2-6, 5-10.
- Dubuque dominated the singles, winning all 6 matches, with CUC struggling to win sets overall.
The Cougars will be back in action on Friday, February 28th as they host Indiana University East at Score Tennis & Fitness. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com/