Luther Claims Third Consecutive IIAC Championship
April 30, 2009
For the fifth year in a row, Luther advanced to the championship match of the Iowa Conference Team Championships, after defeating #4 Wartburg College 5-0 in the semifinals.
Luther, the #1 seed of the tournament and two-time defending champions, swept doubles play and secured the victory over the Knights when Max Piepkorn at #5 singles and Cole Henry at #6 singles secured straight set victories.
In the title match Luther and Coe squared off for the fifth time in as many years. Coe entered the match ranked #12 in the Central Region and the Norse were ranked 9th.
Trailing 2-1 after doubles play, the Norse came from behind to post a 5-4 victory and claim the 2009 Iowa Conference championships. The title was Luther's third in a row and 29th in school history. The victory also secured the automatic bid to the NCAA III National Tournament.
Luther's lone doubles win was produced by Utsab Rijal and Thomas Orser at #2 by a score of 8-6. Scott Sundstrom at #1 singles posted a 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 victory, while Orser at #5 and Mark Mateski at #6 won in straight sets. The 5-4 victory was clinched at #2 singles when Harrison Whiteley posted a come-from-behind three set victory 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The third and final set was played with all the other matches complete and the score tied at 4-4.
The Iowa Conference tennis tournament will continue Friday and Saturday with the individual singles and doubles tournament. Individual Tournament web site.
