The Hope College men's tennis team dropped two matches on Thursday in Orlando, Florida, losing to Nichols, Massachusetts 6-3 and Grinnell, Iowa 9-0.

Against Nichols, the Flying Dutchmen played their most complete match on spring trip by jumping out to a 2-1 lead after the doubles.

Senior Matthew Culver of Clinton Township, Michigan (Fraser HS), and sophomore Sam Kreps of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS), knocked off Brandon Roode and Keenan Hughes 8-4 at No. 1 doubles.

Seniors Colin McKey of Stevensville, Michigan (Stevensville-Lakeshore HS), and Cody Herbruck of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Central HS), put in a dominant performance at #2 doubles by defeating Joan Castillo and Josh Halpern 8-1.

Nichols bounced back in singles action as McKey, freshman Sam Schuster of DeWitt, Michigan (DeWitt HS), and sophomore Camden Ludlow of Petoskey, Michigan (Petoskey) all lost tightly contested matches in straight sets.

Cuver got his signature win of the season at No. 3 singles as he outlasted Halpern 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4).

Herbruck and Kreps lost their singles matches in decisive third set superbreakers by scores of 6-3, 6-7 (4), (10-5) and 6-3, 3-6, (10-7) respectively.

In the nightcap, the Flying Dutchmen lost to Grinnell, the No. 12 ranked team in the Central Region.

Schuster and Ludlow had chances throughout the match but ultimately lost at No. 3 doubles 8-6. Culver and Kreps lost by the same score at No. 1 doubles. McKey andHerbruck lost at #2 doubles 8-5.

Freshman Grant Wunderlich of Zeeland, Michigan (Zeeland East HS), came the closest to pushing his match to a 3rd set but ultimately lost to Will Hamilton 6-2, 6-4.

Hope (1-7 overall) concludes its spring break trip on Friday with a match against Knox College at noon.