Hope Men's Tennis Beats Adrian, Earns MIAA Tournament Berth

The Hope College men's tennis team is returning to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament after clinching a berth with a 5-4 Senior Day win against Adrian on Saturday at VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts.

The Flying Dutchmen (6-11 overall) moved two games ahead in the loss column of fourth-place Calvin and Alma with one league match remaining.

With a 5-1 MIAA record, Hope is tied for second with Adrian. The Flying Dutchmen hold the tiebreaker over the Bulldogs for home-court advantage in the MIAA Tournament semifinals.

Hope can clinch the No. 2 seed for next month's league tournament with an Adrian loss atKalamazoo Sunday or a home win Wednesday against Olivet.

Junior Sam Kreps of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) clinched the victory by defeating Jon Rhind at No. 6 singles 7-6 (3), 6-1. It was the match's final flight to conclude.

The Flying Dutchmen grabbed a 2-1 lead after doubles by winning at No. 2 doubles and No. 3 doubles.

Freshmen Christian Rhoades of Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) and Mark VanderStoepof Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS) beat Brandon Brom and Mitchel Bulger at No. 2 doubles 8-3.

Kreps and freshman Justin Folkert of Hamilton, Michigan (Hamilton HS) won 8-4 at No. 3 doubles over Rhind and Jeff Sophiea.

Rhoades also claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles against Brom. 

Freshman Andrew Klein of Augusta, Michigan (Kalamazoo Christian HS) rallied for a 6-1, 1-6, 6-0 victory at No. 4 singles against Bulger.