Results
HOLLAND, Mich. – The Calvin University men's tennis team opened the 2025-26 season with a number of strong finishes at the Hope College Fall Invitational over the weekend.
The Knights had six players in singles action across four different brackets, as well as three doubles teams playing in three separate doubles brackets under the direction of new head tennis coach
George Rodriguez.
In singles,
Caleb Bartels (Belton, Mo./Kansas City Christian) and
Rodrigo Alipio (Santos, São Paulo, Brazil/COC Universitario) both played in the top bracket (Draw A), with Alipio advancing from the first round (round of 16) with an 8-3 win before falling in a tiebreaker 8-7 (7-5) in the round of eight.
Mário Neto (Boa Vista, Brazil/Reino) won two rounds (8-5 and 8-1) before falling in the final four of Draw B 8-5.
Felipe Sartori (Estr. Basiléia/Colégio Giusto Zonzini) also played in that bracket, winning 8-3 in round one before falling in round two 8-6.
Tanner Warners (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) won 8-3 in round one and 8-1 in round two of Draw D before falling in the final four 8-4.
James Vander Ark (Leawood, Kan./Kansas City Christian) got a bye into the second round of Draw E and won his first match 8-3 before falling 8-6 in the round of four.
In doubles, the team of Alipio and Sartori won 6-4 in their first match of Draw A. Bartels and Neto won two rounds in Draw B (6-3 and 6-1) to reach the finals before losing 6-4 in the final round. The team of Warners and
Emmanuel Henao (Medellin, Columbia/Escuela Normal Superior "La Merced") fell in the first round of Draw C 6-0.
COACH'S COMMENT: "we had great results at Hope overall," Rodriguez said. "I emphasized to the teams that right now it's not about results but about the process. We used this weekend to get matches in and to see where we are at as individuals and as a team. I told the team I was not looking at their wins and losses but at their effort, grit and grind on court. Thats exactly what the Fall is for. To keep building and developing our physical, emotional and mental state. The wins will take care of themselves once we focus on the process. But overall, I loved what I saw from both teams and the potential is through the roof!"
NEXT UP: Calvin men's tennis will return to action on Friday, September 26, when it plays in the ITA Regional Small College Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
