The Men’s and Women’s Tennis program left Grand Rapids, Michigan Saturday morning and traveled to Battle Creek Michigan to play in their first match against Olivet College NCAA Dlll.
Although the Men’s team did not win they have shown great improvement from the beginning of the season to now. Senior Bryce Hoeker at #1 Singles did not get the win but fought a good battle. Senior Riley Mosterd at #2 Singles took his opponent into deuce throughout the match. Newcomer Freshman Cody Denui at #3 Singles was able to win games in his sets at 3,4 4,6 in his first debut collegiate tennis career.
Freshman Krysten Nolen secured the first ever #1 singles win in program history! Nolen defeated her opponent but not without a fight from Olivets #1 singles Kennedy Karns. The pair played 2 sets and a tie breaker. Krysten was able to battle through 7,5 2,6 and won her tie breaker 10-7. She also won in her #2 doubles flights with partner Freshman Olivia Alcumbrack 8,2 who won in her #4 singles flights as well against her opponent 6,0 6,0. Senior Ashleigh Welty split the day and was able to win in her #3 singles 6,4 6,1 and gave a notable performance at #1 doubles with fellow Senior Ellie Simmons 4,8. To add onto the wins of the day, doubles partner and Juniors Alivia Termeer and Haley Pilka went on to win in both their singles and doubles. Termeer at #5 singles won 6,0 6,1 and Pilka at #6 singles defeated her opponent 6,0 6,0. Together they beat their opponents at #3 doubles 8,0.
“This was a great win for the entire women’s team, they played well, and their hard work and determination paid off on the court,” said Grace Head Coach Jon Bushen. “Kyrsten had a tough fought match, she showed grit, determination, and competitiveness all day long, and I was very happy for her to get the win.”
The Tigers have a match-free week as they head onto Spring Break They will be back in Action locally Monday March 13 starting at 6pm against Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan.
