Doubles Play Propels Grace Men’s Tennis To Conference Win

Doubles Play Propels Grace Men’s Tennis To Conference Win

MISHAWAKA – On the strength of its doubles’ units, Grace College’s men’s tennis team handled Bethel 7-2 on Tuesday.

The Lancers (4-4, 4-4 Crossroads League) won their second consecutive match entering the final stretch of the fall season.

Grace wraps up league play on Saturday at Indiana Wesleyan at 3:30 p.m. IWU enters the match undefeated at 10-0 and already clinched the regular season championship.

Danila Kurkulin and Caleb Yoder started the match with a decisive 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles. The No. 2 doubles’ team of Uros Pajic and Diego Zamora earned an 8-5 win, and Conner Bates and Adam Yoder had the same winning score at No. 3.

Kurkulin continued his undefeated season at No. 1 singles, winning 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), and Arturo Fonseca also battled to a 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) win at No. 5. Pajic at No. 2 singles and Adam Yoder at No. 4 singles also won in two sets over the Pilots (4-8, 2-7 CL).

“Our doubles’ teams are really starting to click. We have improved tremendously from the beginning of the year and are peaking in that sense right now,” said Grace assistant coach Andy Lewis. “Danila and Uros continue to start us off well each match, and we are excited to take aim at Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday.”



Lady Lancers Tennis Hammers Bethel

MISHAWAKA – Grace’s women’s tennis team made short work of Bethel on Tuesday, winning 7-2 on the road.

The Lady Lancers (8-4, 4-4 Crossroads League) used early momentum from doubles to cruise to a comfortable win over the Pilots (6-7, 2-7 CL).

Grace won all three doubles’ points handily. Emily Mast and Carrie Copeland teamed up at No. 1 doubles to win 8-3, and Shelby Bankson and Briana Diehl echoed that score at No. 3. Jenna Jackson and Molly Fitzpatrick won even quicker with an 8-2 victory at No. 2 doubles.

Mast improved to 12-0 in singles’ play with a 6-3, 6-0 victory at the top singles’ spot.  Jackson was even more efficient with a 6-0, 6-2 scoreline at No. 3 singles.

Fitzpatrick at No. 4 singles and Bankson at No. 5 both won in straight sets for the Lady Lancers.

“Although she didn’t win in singles, I’m incredibly proud of how Carrie continues to fight knowing she’s playing at about 60 percent. It’s tough knowing that you’re two weeks away from knee surgery, yet she continues to battle for her team,” said Grace head coach Marcus Moore. “Shelby also impressed with her effort at five singles tonight, and the rest of our team continued to play well.”

The Lady Lancers have their final home match of the regular season on Thursday against Indiana Tech at 3:30 p.m. Grace ends the Crossroads League season on Saturday at Indiana Wesleyan.



Men’s Golf Fourth At NCCAA Regionals

WINONA LAKE – No team showed more improvement than Grace’s men’s golf team at the NCCAA Midwest Regionals.

The Lancers bettered their score by 21 strokes between rounds of the two-day regional to fourth at Stonehenge Golf Club.

Grace struggled at its home course on Monday, slipping to last place with a 321 after the first round. But the Lancers improved dramatically, carding a 300 on Tuesday.

Tristan Nienhuis led Grace’s charge on Tuesday. After shooting 77 in his first round, Nienhuis sizzled on Tuesday with a 68 to finish in fifth place overall. His three-under 68 was tied for the best round in the tournament.

Chad Spencer was the team’s steadiest golfer, finishing with a 153 which included a first-round 74.

Cameron Bates bettered his score by nine strokes between rounds, carding an 85-76 to finish third for the Lancers.

Freshmen Tim Rata (164) and Isaiah Brown (168) rounded out Grace’s scoring in their first collegiate regional qualifiers. Brown impressed on Tuesday with a 77.

Also playing as individuals in the tournament were Camden Gongwer, Jacob Kennedy, Peyton Long and Max Leary. Gongwer had a strong showing with a 78-77, good for 18th-best in the field.

The Lancers take a few weeks off before their next tournament with the Taylor Invitational on Oct. 16-17.