Story by Mitch Blankespoor
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team clinched its spot in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament final with a 5-0 sweep of Albion Thursday, May 1 in the Markin Center.
Kalamazoo swept all three doubles flights surrendering no more than three games in any flight. Senior Peter Rothstein and sophomore Robert Hudson defeated Jonathan Gurnee and Eric Guidi 8-2 at first doubles. Senior Mike Korn and junior David DeSimone gave up just a single game in an 8-1 victory over Steve Nawrocki and David Richter at third doubles while senior Alan Faber and freshman Branden Metzler won second doubles 8-3.
"After a couple rough days of practice, we came ready to play in doubles today," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "All three flights played solid tennis. It was great to see Bo [Hudson] come back in good form."
The Hornets needed just two singles flights to win the match. Those flights came at third singles when Korn defeated Ross Kynast 6-0, 6-1 and fourth singles when DeSimone beat Richter by the same score. Because of the match being played to decision, first and second singles, which were on court at the time K clinched the match, were stopped. At first singles, Metzler won the first set 6-3 with set two tied 2-2. At second singles, Rothstein was tied 5-5 with Gurnee in the first set.
"We went right back out there in singles and closed out a good team," said Riley. "We look forward to competing for the MIAA Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championship."
Kalamazoo improves to 11-8 with the win. The Hornets will face the winner of the other semifinal match between Hope and Adrian. The MIAA Tournament final will be held in Kalamazoo at 4 p.m.