by Alan Babbitt

A dominant doubles performance to start the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament semifinal propelled the Hope College men's tennis team to victory on Tuesday.

The Flying Dutch swept the three doubles matches and en route to a 5-0 decision for the second-seeded Flying Dutchmen against third-seeded Calvin University at DeWitt Tennis Center.

Hope (7-7 overall) advanced to the MIAA Tournament final for the seventh time since the team-match play format began in 2007. 

Sophomore Paul Washington (Dearborn, Michigan / Dearborn), pictured, and the Flying Dutchmen will play at top-seeded Kalamazoo College on Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m. The winner receives the MIAA's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

The No. 3 doubles team of Cameron Coates (Stevensville, Michigan / Laurel Springs HS) and Tyler Koran (Salinas, California / Salinas) got the ball rolling for Hope with an 8-1 victory vs. Calvin's Harrison Sindelar and Isaac Jeong that earned the first point of the match.

The No. 1 doubles team of Jacob Burkett (Clarkston, Michigan / Clarkston) and Matt Henkel (Traverse City, Michigan / T.C. Central) then downed Calvin's Max Stallings and Daniel Huan, 8-4.

The No. 2 doubles team of Tyler Stafford (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) and Washington completed the sweep with an 8-2 victory vs. Calvin's Jesse McCurdy and Adam Zentner.

Hope secured its final two points in singles play with straight-set victories.

At No. 5 singles, Washington defeated Adam Zentner, 6-0, 6-0.

At No. 2 singles, Coates clinched the victory by beating Huan, 6-0, 6-0.