Augustana University Athletics

MATCH ONE SCORES | MATCH TWO SCORES

OWATONNA, Minn. - Jared Hofer kept his undefeated singles record intact, but the Vikings couldn't pull out a pair of wins as they dropped two tight matches to Saint John's (Minn.) and Grinnell College. Augustana dropped their first match 7-2 to the Johnnies then were plagued by another forfeit in a 5-4 loss to Grinnell in the second leg. The Vikings are now 0-3 on the season with a pair of one-match losses.

Saint John's 7, Augustana 2
The Vikings were swept in their three doubles matches, losing the first in a tiebreaker. Hofer and Jackson Buchanan nearly pulled out the No. 1 doubles match, but were clipped in the tiebreaker and fell 9-8 (7-4).

Collin Noldner and Brock Baade suffered similar fate in the second doubles flight, falling 8-5. The Johnnies entered singles play with a 3-0 lead after Colan Surratt and Evan Richards were downed 8-2 at No. 3 doubles.

Hofer rolled in his No. 1 singles match, winning 6-2, 6-1. But Noldner was upended at No. 2 by scores of 6-4, 6-3. Buchanan lost a three-set match in with the two players each one a set 6-1, but Buchanan fell in the No. 3 singles match 6-1, 1-6, 10-2.

Surratt supplied the Vikings with their second win of the day, taking the No. 4 doubles contest 7-6 (5), 6-1. Baade and Richards couldn't add to the Vikings' win total; Baade lost 6-1, 6-1 and Richards fell 6-1, 6-0.

Grinnell 5, Augustana 4
Down one player, the Vikings had to forfeit two matches, one singles one doubles, but nearly emerged victorious before suffering another tough 5-4 defeat.

The Vikings took two of the three doubles matches, led by Hofer and Noldner with an 8-4 win at No. 1. Buchanan and Baade pulled out a tiebreak win 9-8at No. 2.

With a 2-1 lead entering singles play, the Vikings knew they had to earn three victories in five matches because the No. 6 singles match would be forfeited. Hofer earned a tight win over former high school counterpart Elliott Czarnecki 6-3, 7-6 at No. 1 singles.

Early season struggles continued for Noldner as he dropped his No. 2 singles match 6-1, 6-1. Buchanan earned his second single win of the year with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 3.

Surratt would earn a split on the day after suffering a 6-2, 6-1 loss at No. 4 singles and Baade dropped his second match of the day by 6-2, 6-1 set scores.

The Vikings now trip to Storm Lake, Iowa to take on Dubuque University and Buena Vista on Feb. 15.