KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team won a key national and regional matchup 5-4 over Coe College Saturday in the Markin Center.
Coe entered the match ranked No. 35 in the nation and No. 9 in the region. Kalamazoo was ranked No. 36 nationally and No. 10 in the region.
Kalamazoo led 2-1 after doubles, then won the first three singles matches to claim the victory. Coe won the final three singles matches to make it a 5-4 final.
Eric De Witt and Zack Ray won 9-7 at two doubles while Allen Vinson and Daniel Henry won 8-4 at three. Elan Dantus and Branden Metzler were defeated 9-7 at one doubles.
(15) Metzler defeated (32) Brady Anderson 6-1, 6-3 at one singles before Dantus defeated (48) Alex Bernt 6-2, 6-3 at four singles. Daniel Henry gutted out a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(2) win at two to clinch the victory for Kalamazoo.
All three of Coe's wins came in close matches: 6-7(1), 7-5, 6-1 at three, 6-4, 5-7, 10-7 at four, and 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 at six.
Kalamazoo returns to action on Sunday with a home match against Wabash College at 10 a.m.