The Hope College men's tennis team opened the rivalry match against Calvin University on Saturday with total command in doubles, sweeping all three courts to grab the early lead.
The early momentum in doubles set the stage for a competitive afternoon, but Calvin's singles push through the top half of the lineup ultimately decided a tight 4–3 result.
The loss pushed Hope to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in MIAA play.
The Flying Dutchmen swept all three doubles courts. Junior Cooper Nugent (Rochester Hills, Michigan / Rochester Adams HS) and junior Alec Maynard (Northville, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) closing out a 6–4 win at No. 1, sophomore Blake Smith (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan / Birmingham Seaholm) and sophomore Elliot Dozeman (Holland, Michigan / West Ottawa) matching that score at No. 2, and junior Ned Curley (Plymouth, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) and freshman Owen Jackson (Traverse City, Michigan / St. Francis) adding a 6–3 victory at No. 3 to secure the opening point.
Calvin answered once singles began, taking courts 1–3 in straight sets to swing the match in its favor.
A gritty three-set battle at No. 4 saw sophomore Karsten Patel (Birmingham, Michigan / Birmingham Seaholm) force a second-set split and push deep into the third before falling just short.
Hope's scoring came from the back end, where Dozeman delivered a steady 6–3, 6–3 win at No. 5 and Jackson followed with a sharp 6–4, 6–2 performance at No. 6, but Calvin's earlier surge held as the deciding margin.
Hope is back on the court on Tuesday, April 7, at 4 p.m. at Kalamazoo College.
Doubles
Singles
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1. Rodrigo Alipio (CALVINM) def. Cooper Nugent (HOPE) 6-2, 6-2
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2. Caleb Bartels (CALVINM) def. Ned Curley (HOPE) 6-4, 6-4
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3. Felipe Sartori (CALVINM) def. Blake Smith (HOPE) 6-2, 6-0
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4. Diego Castellanos (CALVINM) def. Karsten Patel (HOPE) 7-6 (7-0), 2-6, 6-4
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5. Elliot Dozeman (HOPE) def. Mario Neto (CALVINM) 6-3, 6-3
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6. Owen Jackson (HOPE) def. Tanner Warners (CALVINM) 6-4, 6-2
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