FREMONT, Neb. – The Augustana men's tennis team earned a split on Saturday with a victory over Doane but suffered its first loss of the season to Midland. The Vikings fell in the day's opening match, 5-2, to Midland, before bouncing back for a 4-2 win over Doane in Fremont, Nebraska.
 
"We started strong in doubles in our first match against Midland and had great intensity," Augustana head coach Marc Kurtz said. "In singles, we started a little slow. The last two matches on the courts were very close, but we couldn't quite finish those matches.
 
"We regrouped in our singles matches against Doane and played well in those. It was nice to finish the road trip with a win."
 
Match One: Midland 5, Augustana 2
Augustana earned the doubles point with victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. The duo of Cade Damgaard and North Knewtson prevailed 7-5 at No. 1 while Tyson Cowger and Tory Shafer prevailed 6-3.
 
In singles, Cowger picked up the Vikings' victory at No. 5 in a thriller. The scores of the three sets were 6-1, 6-7, 10-8.
 
Match Two: Augustana 4, Doane 2
The two squads did not play for the doubles point and battled in singles with the Vikings winning No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6.
 
Jakson Stoutamire claimed the victory at No. 2 singles 6-1, 7-6. At No. 3, Eden Mrozek won 6-1, 6-3. North Knewtson, making his 2021 debut, won 6-1, 6-0, while Tory Shafer picked up the victory at No. 6 singles by scores of 6-4, 6-3.
 
Up Next
Augustana travels to St. Peter, Minnesota, on March 7 to face Gustavus and Luther. The following weekend, the Vikings travel to St. Joseph, Missouri, to face Rockhurst and Emporia State.