Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
 
WHITEWATER, Wisconsin – Grinnell College defeated Kalamazoo College 4-2 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championship regional on Friday morning.
 
The Pioneers took an early lead by winning the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches, both by a score of 6-2.
 
In singles play, Kalamazoo earned points at the No. 4 and No. 6 positions, while Grinnell picked up a win at No. 5 (6-3, 7-6 [9-7]) to even the match at 2-2.
 
Grinnell pulled back in front with a win at No. 2 (1-6, 6-2, 6-3), then secured the match with a hard-fought three-set victory at No. 3 (5-7, 7-6 [7-2], 7-6 [7-4]).
 
With the win, No. 62 Grinnell improves to 14-12 on the season, while No. 58 Kalamazoo concludes its campaign with a 15-6 record.
 
The Pioneers advance to face No. 4 University of Chicago in a second-round match at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10.