Story by Mitch Blankespoor
HOLLAND, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team clinched a share of its 76th straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) men's tennis championship Tuesday, April 8 with a 9-0 victory over Hope College.
"Part of what we do at K-College is try to keep the steak alive," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "The guys are embracing it. You never get tired of winning championships."
Kalamazoo opened the match winning all three doubles flights. Senior Peter Rothstein and freshman Branden Metzler won 8-4 at first doubles while senior Alan Faber and junior David DeSimone defeated Trevor Brogan and Colin McKey 8-4 at second doubles.
Senior Mike Korn and freshman Alberto Ayala went up a break early at third doubles but the Hope team of Jonathan Panzer and Sam Kreps broke back to tie the flight 7-7. After holding serve, the Flying Dutchmen took a brief 8-7 lead only to see Kalamazoo storm back sending the match into a tiebreaker which the Hornets won 7-1.
"One and two [doubles] did a good job today," Riley said. "Third doubles was two points from losing the match, but rebounded to win 11 of the last 12 points of the match."
Metzler, ranked No. 11 in the Central Region by itatennis.com, made quick work of Parker Bussies winning first singles 6-0, 6-1. Rothstein clinched the match at second singles defeated Cody Herbruck 6-2, 6-2.
Korn won set one 6-1 at third singles, but was trailing 4-2 in set two until Brogan was forced to retire due to injury.
Junior David DeSimone, freshman Spencer Navarre, and freshman Eric DeWitt won 4-6 singles respectively in straight sets.
"One, two, five, and six [singles] were stellar," said Riley. "Three and four [singles] found a way to get it done."
Kalamazoo improves to 9-6 on the season including a perfect 5-0 mark in MIAA play. The Hornets return to action Thursday, April 10 for their annual match with Western Michigan.