Cap Gillespie Steers The Win
Freshman Cole Gillespie had a hand in two wins and helped the Cobbers beat Midway (Ky.) on Tuesday.
ORLANDO, Fla. (3/3/20)— With four seniors comprising 66.7% of Concordia's starting lineup it's easy for newcomers to get overlooked but on Monday freshman Cole "Cap" Gillespie piloted the ship for the Cobbers as they sunk the Midway Eagles 4-3 on a balmy Tuesday afternoon in Orlando.
Gillespie was responsible for two of the wins needed to secure the victory for the Cobbers in the NAIA format match.
His win at No.5 singles turned out to be the match-clinching victory for Concordia as they claimed their third team win of the year.
With Concordia clinging to a 3-2 lead, the Thief River Falls native used his huge forehand and massive serve to defeat his opponent 6-2, 6-4 and seal the deal for the maroon and gold.
Momentum was on the Cobbers' side from the beginning as they came out hot in doubles, sweeping all three matches to gain the doubles point.
The No.1 team of Jared Saue and Erik Porter rolled to a 6-1 win. The victory was the tandem's team-leading seventh of the year.
Gillespie teamed up with senior Carter Steffes to make their debut as a doubles team and ground out a 7-5 win at the No.2 spot.
The No.3 doubles team featured a pair of players who are also key members of the CobberSID office. Eli "The Photographer" Simonson and David "The Writer" Youngs paired up and came away with a tight 7-6(1) win to secure the doubles sweep.
In singles play Porter relied on his steady game to outplay his opponent at No.1 singles by a 6-1,6-4 score. Porter now has four singles wins on the year.
Saue, playing on the court next door to Porter, nabbed his second singles win of spring break with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 at the No.2 spot. Saue also has four singles wins on the year.
REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED AT BENIHANA: It was a joyous car ride and post-match meal for the Cobbers who were handily defeated (7-2) by Midway on last year's spring training trip. The team celebrated the win, and sophomore Alex Hetland's birthday devouring the post-match meal Benihana Japanese Steakhouse.
UP NEXT: Concordia will have their first break of the spring trip in the land of Jimmy Buffett and Jameis Winston and will prepare for their final day of matches on Thursday, Mar. 5. The maroon and gold take on Trine at 10:30 a.m. and will face Adrian College for the third time in three years at 5:30 p.m.in their final match in Florida. Both matches will be held at the USTA National Tennis Center.