LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Wesleyan men's tennis team picked up a much needed victory on Thursday afternoon when they defeated old conference rival Concordia University 5-4 in Knight Fieldhouse on the NWU campus.
 
It came down to the final match of the dual, but in the end the Prairie Wolves came away with their second victory of the season under first year coach Dave Northey.
 
NWU took two out of three doubles matches to take the early 2-1 advantage in the match.  Adam Olson and Matheus Bustamante defeated Javier Moreno and Gabe Poling, 8-7 in a very tight match at No. 2 doubles.  The Prairie Wolves also earned the win at No. 3 doubles with Jordan Pieper and Nathan Seaton teaming up to down Josh Miller and Patricio Esquivel 8-2.
 
The two teams split the six singles matches allowing the Prairie Wolves to earn the one point win.  Three of the matches went three sets, with Concordia winning two of those three.
 
Pedro Bethlem won his No. 1 singles match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4 over Thomas Greef to get NWU started.  Also winning in straight sets was Hale Breit at No. 3 singles.  Breit was a 6-0, 6-3 winner over Esquivel.  The most competitive victory for NWU was at No. 6 singles where Christian Cannon outlasted Miller 5-7, 6-2, 10-5. 
 
Adam Olson and Bustamante both dropped three set matches and Gabe Sellmer fell in straight sets at No. 4 singles.
 
NWU returns to IIAC action this weekend as they host Luther College on Saturday morning and Simpson College on Sunday.