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Calvin tennis enjoys perfect spring break
By Chris Sveen
Staff Writer
FILE PHOTO
A member of the women's tennis team returns a volley across the net.
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Most of us spent our spring breaks either on the slopes in Colorado or laying on the beaches in sunny Florida. It is an exciting time for any college student to kick back and enjoy their surroundings. The Calvin men’s tennis team did little to kick back and relax as they completed a perfect 6-0 swing through Hilton Head, S.C., while the women evened their record at 2-2 on the trip.
Both teams were dealt heavy blows by the rain but managed to complete their first match of the week in impressive fashion. Calvin improved to 3-1 on the year with a 6-1 win over Principia and a 9-0 win over Concordia of Wisconsin. Tom Zeilstra, Jon Miedema, Nate Kraai, and David Bratt carried much of the load, winning their matches against both schools. The women suffered a 8-1 loss to Carthage with Rachel Pater the sole singles winner.
The Calvin men then closed out East Stroudsburg State 8-1, Illinois Wesleyan 5-2, and St. Lawrence 8-1 to keep the perfect streak alive. Calvin is now 7-1 on the season. Rafael Seibenschein won his singles matches in all three contests in convincing ways keeping the game to two matches in two of the three contests. The Calvin women smashed East Stroudsburg State 9-0 to even their record at 2-2. All doubles and singles matches were won by Calvin.
Calvin was back in action Wednesday, March 26. Calvin’s men saw their 6-0 win streak come to an end with a 8-1 non-conference loss to Aquinas. No details were available for this match but Calvin is now 7-2 for the season. There was a different tone to the women’s match as they improved on the season to 3-2. It was Calvin’s second win over Aquinas this year. Calvin defeated Aquinas 6-3 with wins from Sally Skodinski, Amy Zeilstra, Rachel Pater, Annie Huizenga and Kim Bosscher in the singles rounds. They were not as fortunate in doubles, winning just one doubles match.
FILE PHOTO
A member of the women's tennis team returns a volley across the net.
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The Calvin men’s team opened MIAA season play with a perfect 9-0 win over Adrian. There were wins across the board as Calvin swept both singles and doubles play.
The men returned to action Wednesday, April 2 and the Calvin women’s team opened their MIAA season the same day against Hope. Unfortunately, the men suffered a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Flying Dutch and Calvin’s overall record dipped to 8-3, remaining impressive nonetheless. The men received a sound whipping in the doubles portion of the match but rallied and finished by splitting the singles points. The men set things off again on Friday when they host Grand Rapids Community College at 3 p.m.
The women faired better against the Flying Dutch and ended with the first win against Hope in a dual match since 1993, only the third time in the last 22 years. Hope came into the afternoon strong taking two of the three doubles matches, but not to be swayed, the women returned and took five of the six singles matches, solidifying them in a 6-3 victory. Here’s to the Calvin women for striking a blow deep into the hearts (and rackets) of the misguided Hopers. The women now stand at 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA. The women take swings at Wheaton Friday afternoon and again at Olivet Nazarene on Saturday.
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