by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College men's tennis team made the most of its first appearance outdoors at VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts this spring.

The Flying Dutchmen swept doubles play and marched to an 8-1 victory against Trine University on Tuesday.

Hope remained unbeaten in MIAA play with a 4-0 league record.

Photo by Tom Renner

In doubles, Hope took 24 of 33 points.

At No. 3 doubles, senior Tyler Koran (Salinas, California / Salinas) and sophomore Justin Fay (Naperville, Illinois / St. Francis secured the sweep with an 8-5 victory against Jaxon Davis and Caleb Morris.

At No. 2 doubles, juniors Tyler Stafford (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) and Matt Henkel (Traverse City, Michigan / T.C. Central) earned an 8-1 victory against Aaron Streit and Ryan Smith.

At No. 1 doubles, juniors Jacob Burkett (Clarkston, Michigan / Clarkston) and Cameron Coates (Stevensville, Michigan / Laurel Springs) topped Cole Goodman and Drew Dixon, 8-3.

In singles, Hope won three of the four matches that went three sets.

At No. 1 singles, Burkett rallied past Goodman for a 4-6, 6-2, 10-6 victory.

At No. 2 singles, Coates held off Streit for a 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 victory.

At No. 3 singles, Stafford downed Davis, 6-0, 4-6, 10-7.

At No. 4 singles, Henkel beat Dixon, 6-2, 6-2.

At No. 5 singles, Trine's Ryan Smith edged Koran, 6-4, 2-6, 10-3.

At No. 6 singles, freshman Austin Becksvoort (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) defeated Morris, 6-1, 6-3.