Story by Mitch Blankespoor
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team swept Grove City (Pa.) 5-0 in the first round of the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championships Friday, May 9 on the campus of Carnegie-Mellon.
After a slow start in the first few games in doubles, Kalamazoo found its rhythm and cruised to victories in all three doubles flights. Senior Peter Rothstein and sophomore Robert Hudson were first to finish at first doubles defeating Colby Beighey and Peter Riley 8-3. Senior Alan Faber and freshman Branden Metzler finished next winning second doubles 8-2 while senior Mike Korn and junior David DeSimone defeated Dan Schafhauser and Josh Sauer 8-4 at third doubles.
"Grove City started out strong in doubles," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "After the first few games, we played very well in doubles and continued that into singles."
In singles, DeSimone defeated Chris Collins 6-1, 6-0 at fourth singles to pull K within a single point of winning the match. Freshman Spencer Navarrre won his six singles match minutes later defeating Schafhauser 6-0, 6-1.
All matches in the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championships are played to decision. First, second, third, and fifth singles were unfinished.
"It's always great to win a match in the NCAA Tournament," Riley commented.
Kalamazoo improves to 13-8 on the season with the victory. The Hornets will play No. 9 Case Western Reserve tomorrow (Saturday) at 1:30 p.m.