Kyle Kreps, Dan Mann and Rob Visscher are among the notable names who comprise the rich history of Hope men's tennis. Here are five facts to know about the Flying Dutchmen.
3
Number of times the Flying Dutchmen have forced Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) powerhouse Kalamazoo College to share a league title it has won every year since 1936. In 1962, Hope stopped Kalamazoo's dual meet winning streak at 155 in a row, edging the Hornets 4-3. Over the next 41 years, Kalamazoo strung together 241 consecutive dual meet victories but again it was Hope ending it with a convincing 7-2 triumph on April 15, 2003. The 2013 race was the most exciting in MIAA history with a three-way tie for first place involving Hope, rival Calvin and Kalamazoo. In league duals, Calvin defeated Kalamazoo, then Kalamazoo topped Hope and in a season-ending match Hope edged Calvin 5-4 to create the co-championship.
4
Dan Mann is the only Hope player in MIAA men's tennis history to receive All-MIAA first team honors four consecutive years — a career that ended in 1993.
10
Hope tennis players have been honored for outstanding sportsmanhip a record 10 times over the past 14 years, the latest senior Kyle Kreps of Holland (Holland HS) in 2013. Kreps became Hope's 21st winner of the award given in memory of the late Dr. Allen B. Stowe of Kalamazoo College. Kreps, the son of Hope football head coach Dean Kreps, was part of featured exhibit on the MIAA at the NCAA Hall of Champions in Indianapolis. Kreps, a two-time recipient of Hope's team sportsmanship award, will be student-teaching for West Ottawa Public Schools this fall. He is serving as a volunteer coach for West Ottawa's junior varsity boys tennis team.
62
The school record for career singles wins is 62 by Ron Visscher from 1966-69.
254
Coach Steve Gorno's teams over 21 seasons have posted a 254-186 record in dual matches. Gorno has guided the Flying Dutchmen to MIAA championships twice (2003 and 2013).
