by Eva Dean Folkert

Sophomores Tyler Stafford, right, and Paul Washington, left, gave the Hope College men's tennis team three of its four points during a 5-4 non-conference loss to Augustana (Ill.) College on Saturday. The duo was victorious at No. 2 doubles and won their singles matches as well in a highly competitive match at the DeWitt Tennis Center.

The loss drops the Flying Dutch to 3-9 overall. 

Stafford of Grand Rapids, Mich. (Grand Rapids Christian) and Washington of Dearborn, Mich. (Dearborn) teamed up to win at No. 2 doubles, 8-4. 

Stafford then defeated Augustana's Leonardo Panosso, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) at No. 3 singles while Washington downed Auggie's Justin Cassens, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 5 singles 

At No. 1 singles, sophomore Jacob Burkett of Clarkston, Michigan (Clarkston HS) was defeated by Augustana's Caio DeRezende, 2-6, 6-2, 2-6.

In the closest match of the day at No. 2 singles, sophomore Cameron Coates of Stevensville, Michigan (Laurel Springs) lost to Auggie's Peter Alex, 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7).

At No. 4 singles, sophomore Tyler Koran of Salinas, Calif. (Salinas) was topped by Augustana's Eliot St. Paul, 6-0, 3-6, 2-6.

At No. 6 singles, sophomore Matt Henkel of Traverse City, Michigan (Central HS) recorded a win against Augustana's Kyle Boudreau, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In other doubles play, Hope's No. 1 pair of Burkett and Henkel lost to Alex and Boudreau, 4-8, and the No. 3 pair of Coates and Koran fell to Cassens and Panosso, 6-8. 

Hope's next match is Wednesday, April 14 at home against Alma College.