The Alma men's tennis team dropped their third consecutive 7-2 decision on Saturday inside the Stone Recreation Center. Undefeated NAIA #25 Spring Arbor proved to be too strong at the top of the line-up for the Scots to overcome.
The Scots were able to keep pace with the Cougars in the bottom third of the line-up all day. In doubles play the pairing of So. Gordon Rumschlag (Romeo, Mich./ Romeo) and Fr. Justin Meyer (Warren Woods, Mich./Warren Woods Tower) came up victorious at #3 with a 9-8(2). The pair used overpowering serving to hang with their opponents before using a tie-breaker to clinch the win.
Alma also was extremely competitive at the #5 and #6 spots in singles. Sr. Ben Schippers (Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City St. Francis) pulled out a 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 win at #5 with an excellent return game and strong serving. Sr. Mark Stuart (Midland, Mich./Midland Dow) also came close to picking up a victory at the #6 spot for the Scots, falling in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
"I am pleased how we played today. Everybody was able to elevate their games to challenge a very good Spring Arbor team," said Alma Head Coach Chris Sandro. "We will do our best to get outdoors this week before heading down to Florida for Spring Break."
The Scots leave for a week in Orlando, Florida on Friday. The team has high expectations for the trip, which will include five matches, beginning with Capital University (OH) on Sunday, February 26.
Match Scores: Singles #1: #33 David Darling (SAU) def. Josh Gove (Alma) 6-2, 6-0 #2: Thomas Calderone (SAU) def. Logan Beard (Alma) 6-2, 6-1 #3: Aaron Mayes (SAU) def. Trent Pontious (Alma) 6-1, 6-1 #4: Andrew DeBruyn (SAU) def. Gordon Rumschlag (Alma) 6-1, 6-2 #5: Ben Schippers (Alma) def. Nathan Scholten (SAU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-8 #6: Tim Smolen (SAU) def. Mark Stuart (Alma) 6-2, 5-7, 6-3
Doubles #1: #11 Calderone/Mayes (SAU) def. Gove/Beard (Alma) 8-4 #2: D. Darling/Scholten (SAU) def. Pontious/Stuart 8-2 #3: Rumschlag/Justin Meyer (Alma) def. Matt Wojtkowski/Michael Darling (SAU) 9-8(2)
Finish Order:
Doubles: 2,1,3 Singles: 2,3,1,6,4,5
Match Time: 3:40
Results
