By Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For the first time this season, the Kalamazoo College men's tennis team was able to play at Stowe Stadium. Unfortunately for the Hornets, it was the Maroons from the University of Chicago who came out ahead defeating Kalamazoo 7-2 Sunday, April 6.
Freshman Branden Metzler avenged a loss at the ITA Central Region Championships last fall defeating Sabada Deepak 6-2, 6-2. Deepak defeated Metzler 6-1, 7-5 last fall en route to reaching the title match.
Junior David DeSimone picked up K's other point winning 6-4, 6-2 at fourth singles. Earlier in the match, DeSimone and senior Mike Korn fell just short at second doubles losing 8-6.
"[Branden] Metzler and [David] DeSimone did an excellent job for us today," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "Second doubles gave us a chance to stay in the match, but Chicago was just a little bit better."
Senior Peter Rothstein led 3-2 in the first set and 2-1 in the second but could not close either set falling to Ankur Bhargava 6-3, 6-2 at second singles. Kalamazoo drops to 8-6 on the season with the loss.
"We were happy to play our first match outside," said Riley. "We had a tough day against a very good Chicago team."
The Hornets return to action Tuesday, April 8 when they travel to Hope College for a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) match scheduled for 4:00 p.m.