Story by Mitch Blankespoor
HOLLAND, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team competed in the first day of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Flighted Tournament Friday, April 25.
In the A Doubles flight, junior David DeSimone and freshman Spencer Navarre opened the day winning 8-3 over the Calvin team of John Strikwerda and Matt Buesing. Kalamazoo was then knocked out of competition in the quarterfinals by the first doubles team from Albion falling 8-4.
Freshmen Jacob Scott and Alberto Ayala were also in the A Doubles flight and received a bye in the opening round. In the quarterfinals, Scott and Ayala lost a close 8-6 decision to Hope's first doubles team of Matthew Culver and Parker Bussies.
In singles, DeSimone opened the A Singles flight defeating Jordan Verbauwhede of Adrian 6-4, 6-0. DeSimone then lost in the quarterfinals to 6-1, 7-6(4) to Eric Guindi of Albion. Navarre was also in this flight and won his first round match 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 over Joey Loselle of Adrian. Just like DeSimone, Navarre was paired up with a Briton, Jonthan Gurnee, in the quarterfinals and lost in straight sets.
Freshman Eric DeWitt and sophomore Jeremy DePree played in the B Singles flight. DeWitt defeated Stephen Healy of Calvin 6-2, 6-4 and then dispatched Colin McKey of Hope 6-4, 7-6(5) in the quarterfinals. DePree lost is opening round match 6-2, 7-6(5).
Ayala and Scott represented the Hornets in the C Singles Flight. Ayala won his first round match 6-1, 6-1 over Nick Ihrie of Trine and followed up with a victory in the quarterfinals by the same score. Scott, who received a bye in the opening round, battled back from a set down to defeat Steve Nawrocki of Albion 5-7, 6-4, 11-9.
The two day tournament resumes play tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. DeWitt plays Michael Mertz of Adrian in the semifinals of the B Singles flight. Ayala and Scott both appear in the semifinals of the C Singles flight with Ayala playing Jared Guy of Alma and Scott facing off with Camden Ludlow of Hope.