By Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team won its first two matches of the 2014 season Saturday Feb. 22. Kalamazoo first defeated Ohio Northern University 8-1 in the morning followed by a 7-2 victory over Wabash College (Ind.) in the afternoon.
In the match with Ohio Northern, Kalamazoo took a 2-1 lead after doubles. Senior Peter Rothstein and sophomore Robert Hudson won 8-6 at first doubles while senior Alan Faber and freshman Branden Metzler took second doubles by a score of 8-3.
Ohio Northern's lone match point came at third doubles. The Hornet team of junior David DeSimone and freshman Alberto Ayala took a 5-1 lead, but could not hold on. Sam Prewitt and Alex Starr took the match 9-7.
"We did a good job in the doubles despite playing with some different combinations," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "We were successful in sparking our doubles."
The Hornets swept all six singles flights in straight sets. Metzler, Rothstein, DeSimone, and freshman Spencer Navarre won at first, second, fifth, and sixth singles respectively and surrendered less than six total games doing so.
At third singles, senior Mike Korn defeated John Mostowy 6-3, 6-4. Sophomore Robert Hudson won 6-0 in the first set at fourth singles, but ONU's Blake Troller forced a second set tiebreak. Hudson, determined to not play a third set, won the tiebreak 7-3 to clinch the match in straight sets.
"Brandon [Metzler] and Peter [Rothstein] played well," said Riley. "We can go places if they are consistent at the top of our lineup."
In the match with North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) foe Wabash, Kalamazoo continued its strong doubles playing winning all three flights. The Hornet teams of Hudson/Rothstein and Faber/Metzler won first and second doubles respectively each by a score of 8-1. DeSimone and freshman Alberto Ayala won third doubles 8-5.
Kalamazoo clinched the match as Metzler won 6-3, 6-4 at first singles followed by Korn winning 6-2, 6-2 at second singles.
Despite the match result being in hand, Wabash responded by winning the next two match off the court. Mark Troiano defeated sophomore Jeremy DePree 1-6, 6-4, 11-9 (super tie-breaker in set three) at fourth singles. Hudson fell at third singles in two close sets, 6-4, 7-5.
A pair of freshmen, Jacob Scott and Navarre, won at fifth and sixth singles respectively.
"All of our players got a chance to play today," said Riley. "Our young guys are getting some valuable experience."
Kalamazoo has a quick turnaround and will play Luther College (Iowa) tomorrow, Feb. 23, at 9:30 a.m. at the Markin Center.