ERIC THIELE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
For the fourth time in five years, the Knights men’s tennis team walked away with a fourth place finish at the Iowa Conference tournament.
The Knights won their first match 5-0, against Dubuque.
In singles’ play, top singles player Mitch Eslick won 6-1 and 6-3 to retire his opponent. In doubles’ play with his partner Tom Koenen, the duo won 8-2. Koenen also won his singles’ match, 6-0 and 6-1.
Andrew Kahler, 6-3 and 6-1, Pat Mullen, 6-3 and 6-1, also won.
The Knights then advanced to face eventual conference champion Luther, but lost 5-0.
In singles’ play, Aaron Masterson and Pat Mullen lost to their opponents by scores of 6-1 and 6-1, and 6-1 and 6-2, respectively.
“In the IIAC A Flight Singles draw there are no easy matches. We’ve been there now. We’ve played the top guys close,” head coach Ben Oestreich said.
All three pairs fell in the doubles. The team of Eslick and Koenen would fall 4-8 in what was a tough fought match.
The team of Masterson and Chris Buckingham also lost 4-8. The final doubles’ match also ended in defeat as the team of Kahler and James Nguyen fell 3-8.
The Knights faced Central College for third place.
Koenen defeated his Central opponent by a score of 6-0 and 6-1. Kahler won the first set 6-2, but lost the next two sets 6-4 and 6-1.
Eslick and Koenen defeated their opponent, 8-4 in doubles, giving the Knights their second and last win of the overall team match.
The Knights would fall to Central, 5-2 and took fourth place for the tournament.
Oestreich said he’s ready to prepare for next year.
“We’re close to eclipsing previous benchmarks of success. Winning takes hard work and time for it to pay off,” he said.