SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana men's tennis team officially opens the 2021 season Saturday hosting Mount Marty inside GreatLIFE Woodlake in Sioux Falls. It marks the first official competition for the men's tennis squad since March 12, 2020.
 
The Vikings return seven members of last year's squad and welcome one freshman. North Knewtson returns as the highest winning percentage and the player with the most wins with a 6-2 record. He was perfect at No. 4 singles at 3-0 and held a 2-1 mark at No. 5 and 1-1 record at No. 6.
 
Cade Damgaard returns with experience at No. 1 singles while holding an overall 4-5 record in 2020.
 
Other returners include Tyson Cowger, Eden Mrozek, Tory Shafer and Jakson Stoutamire. The newcomer of the group is Nicholas LaPoint, hailing from Scottsdale, Arizona.
 
Quotable
"We are excited to get things going this year. It's been a long 10 months since our season was cut short last year on our Spring Break trip. We have a veteran squad this year and we have been practicing hard in preparation for the season. I'm really looking forward to watching the guys compete and battle out on the court," Augustana head coach Marc Kurtz said. 
 
About Mount Marty
The Lancers are 0-1 on the season after falling 5-2 at Northwestern. That match happened on Sept. 15, 2020 while the contest with the Vikings marks the first action in 2021.
 
A Look Ahead
Augustana travels to Morningside in Sioux City, Iowa, on February 13 before a small break in action. The Vikings then travel to Midland on Feb. 27 and have a pair of matches in St. Peter, Minnesota, facing Gustavus and St. Olaf on March 6.