MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris men's tennis team shook off any side effects of their loss late on Wednesday night to the University of Northwestern, coming back with a strong effort to defeat Martin Luther College, 5-4, in a non-conference matchup. The win improves the Cougars to 4-4 overall on the season.
Things started off slowly for UMN Morris, who trailed 2-1 after doubles. Only
Nick Garmen and
Tanner Janorschke put a point on the board for the Cougars with an 8-2 victory in the No. 2 match.
Though they trailed entering singles, that deficit didn't last long as Minnesota Morris won at Nos. 1, 2, and 3 to take a 4-2 lead on Martin Luther. Garmen defeated Jonah Schulz at No. 1, 6-4, 6-2, to level the score.
Taiyo Larson then handled Seth Koelpin, 6-3, 6-4, to put the Cougars on top.
Paul Decker fought off a challenge from Benjamin Foss to earn a 6-2, 2-6, 10-7 win and put Minnesota Morris within a point of the win.
Things tightened up from there as Martin Luther registered wins at Nos. 5 and 6 over
Cole Peters and
Kenny Knudson to leave the score tied at 4-4. Just as it did two weeks, the match would hinge on the result of
Jack Flicker's match. This time around Flicker was at No. 4 singles and he rose to the challenge with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Marcus Sims to give the Cougars the win.
Minnesota Morris is back at it on April 18, hosting the College of St. Scholastica at 1 p.m.
