Zitur Succeeds On Sunday vs. St. Scholastica

FARGO, N.D. (2/08/15)—On Saturday it was a pair of freshmen that stepped into the spotlight for Concordia. On Sunday a familiar face stepped out of the shadows and claimed a pair of wins in the Cobbers' 7-2 loss to St. Scholastica.

Junior Zach Zitur shook off the opening-day nerves from Saturday and claimed a 4-6, 6-4, 10-2 win at No.2 singles. The victory in the super-set tie breaker ends a streak of tie break losses for Zitur. He won the first three super-set tie breakers of his freshman season but had dropped four straight since then – including a 10-6 loss in the season opener on Saturday.   

Zitur rallied for the win after dropping the opening set on Sunday. He was able to track down volleys from both sides of the court to keep his opponent on the run for most of the match. The hard work paid off in the tie breaker as he had more in the tank and won 10-2.

Zitur opened the match by pairing with No.1 singles player Isaac Toivonen to earn an 8-5 win at No.1 doubles. The victory is even more impressive since their opponents were the top doubles team in the UMAC last year after going 17-4 and entered the season on a 12-match winning streak.    

The most exciting match of the day belonged to Toivonen who dueled with 2014 UMAC Player of the Year Josh Stainer. The two traded service holds and kept on serve for most of the match. Toivonen dropped four straight games and dropped the first set 6-4. He then ground out a win in the tie breaker in the second set. Toivonen was able to bear down in the seven-point tie breaker and won 7-2. Unfortunately he wasn't able to keep the momentum on his side and lost 10-4 in the super-set tie breaker.

The Cobbers will return to MIAC play when they host St. Thomas on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. Due to a scheduling conflict the match will be played in Grand Forks, N.D. at the Grand Forks Choice Health and Fitness.      


St. Scholastica 7, Concordia-Moorhead 2
Feb 08, 2015 at Fargo, N.D. (Courts Plus)

Singles competition
1. Josh Stainer (CSS) def. Isaac Toivonen (CC) 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 10-4
2. Zach Zitur (CC) def. James Mack (CSS) 4-6, 6-4, 10-2
3. Logan Engelstad (CSS) def. David Schneck (CC) 6-0, 6-2
4. Mike Fontana (CSS) def. Jesse Schneeberger (CC) 6-2, 6-2
5. Tyler Bates (CSS) def. Austin Storm (CC) 6-0, 6-0
6. Cody Mauston (CSS) def. Scott Schwandt (CC) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Isaac Toivonen/Zach Zitur (CC) def. Josh Stainer/James Mack (CSS) 8-5
2. Logan Engelstad/Mike Fontana (CSS) def. David Schneck/Jesse Schneeberger (CC) 8-1
3. Tyler Bates/Cody Mauston (CSS) def. Austin Storm/Scott Schwandt (CC) 8-1