Story by Mitch Blankespoor
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team saw its season come to a close with a 5-0 loss to Case Western Reserve (Ohio) in the second round of the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championships Saturday May 10.
Case Western Reserve showed why it is ranked No. 9 nationally by itatennis.com winning all three doubles flights. Senior Alan Faber and freshman Branden Metzler fell to John Healey and Derek Rienbold 8-4 at first doubles while senior Mike Korn and junior David DeSimone lost 8-2 at third doubles. First doubles was the final doubles flight to finish as senior Peter Rothstein and sophomore Robert Hudson fell 8-3 to Christopher Krimbill and Eric Klawitter.
"I give a lot of credit to them [Case] for playing great doubles today," Kalamazoo Head Coach Mark Riley said. "We battled back to play well in singles, but didn't have enough to make the comeback."
Krimbill, ranked No. 1 in the Central Region, defeated Metzler, ranked No. 4, 6-2, 6-3 at first singles. Case Western Reserve clinched the match with a straight set victory at fourth singles. The other four singles matches were unfinished.
Faber, Rothstein, and Korn played their final matches wearing the Black and Orange. Faber finishes his career with a 13-13 record in singles and a 32-30 record in doubles. Rothstein finishes his career with a 39-26 record in singles and a 37-36 record in doubles while Korn fashioned a 50-34 record in singles and a 20-31 record in doubles.
"I want to thank our seniors for their contributions to our program over the last four years," said Riley. "They kept the streak going and played well in the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championships all four years."
Kalamazoo finishes its season with a 13-9 record. The Hornets won their 76th straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title as well as earning a 39th straight berth in the NCAA III Men's Tennis Championships. Kalamazoo is the only Division III school to appear in every single championship since the Division III tournament began in 1976.