KOHLER — The Lakeland College men’s tennis team opened its 2013 season on Sunday, falling to Ripon College by a 7-2 score in a non-conference match at the Sports Core in Kohler.
The Muskies picked up one win each in singles and doubles and came very close in several other matches. Lakeland faced a much more seasoned Ripon team, which won its first match in six tries this season.
Paul Elzinga scored the lone win for Lakeland, defeating Tyler Hopewell at No. 5 singles 7-6, 6-2. The Muskies’ other win was at No. 3 doubles, where Brandon Robinson and Chris Meyer teamed up for an 8-4 win over Hopewell and Anders Goodwin.
William Yelverton won the first set at No. 4 singles against Brian Schumacher but fell 6-7, 6-3, 10-4. The Muskies also lost a toughie at No. 2 doubles, where Jake Halverson and Greg Boknevitz were defeated 8-6 by Schumacher and Brian Slovinski.
“It was good for us to finally get the season going,” said Lakeland Head Coach Casey Carr. “Though I wasn’t too happy with the results, it was good for our young guys to see what the competition is going to be like for the season. I like our team goals. I know where we want to be as a team, but we have a lot of hours to spend on the courts in order to get there.”
Lakeland will have a few more weeks off before its next match, when the Muskies host Calvin College on March 30 at the Sports Core.
