CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The Calvin University men's tennis team used a big rally in singles competition to take home a 4-3 win at Wabash College on Saturday.
Wabash (7-4) took the early 1-0 lead in doubles thanks to wins in both the numbers two and three matches. The Calvin (3-3) top team of
Rodrigo Alipio (Santos, São Paulo, Brazil/COC Universitario) and
Mário Neto (Boa Vista, Brazil/Reino) won 6-2, but the number-two team of
Felipe Sartori (Estr. Basiléia/Colégio Giusto Zonzini) and
Ryan Broek (Hudsonville, Mich./Unity Christian) dropped their match 6-2, and the team of
Tanner Warners (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and
Emmanuel Henao (Medellin, Columbia/Escuela Normal Superior "La Merced") fell in three doubles 6-2.
Needing four points in singles to overcome the early deficit, Sartori got the first point in three singles with a 5-7, 6-2 and 6-3 win, and Alipio followed in number-one singles with a 7-6 (8-6), 4-6 and 6-2 win.
Wabash secured points with straight sets wins in the numbers two and four matches, but Calvin would close strong, with Neto winning 6-2, 4-6 and 6-1 to tie the match at 3-3, and Henao finished off the comeback by overcoming a first-set defeat to take home another three-set win at 3-6, 6-2 and 6-3.
COACH'S COMMENT: "Great win on the road today," Calvin co-interim head tennis coach
Jon Goorhouse said. "The team keeps playing smarter and stronger every match. They fought it out for three set wins and handled the pressure when it came down to the last match and sixth singles to win it all. It's going to be a good drive home after this."
NEXT UP: Calvin tennis will return to action on Monday, March 10, when it opens its Florida trip with a match against the College of St. Scholastica.
