Jackets Edge Rose-Hulman, Fall to Hanover in HCAC Opener

HANOVER, Ind. – The Defiance College men's tennis team got off to a good start in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference by posting its first victory of the season with a 5-4 win over Rose-Hulman. Hanover then flipped the score on DC, topping the Jackets by one in the HCAC tri-match.

The afternoon started with a strong showing from Defiance's top singles competitors, as William Draur and Tyler Ault scored victories at the top two singles positions, while Trevor Ault secured a key three-set win over David Becerra at No. 4 singles.

Those three led the way once again in doubles action, as Draur and Tyler Ault won, 8-5, at the top spot and Austin Kleman teamed with Trevor Ault to secure the 5-4 team win over the Engineers (6-4, 3-1 HCAC) by pulling out a 9-7 thriller at No. 2.

The Jackets would then lock up with Hanover (2-5, 2-1 HCAC) in their second match of the day. The two sides would split the singles matches, with DC getting wins from the Ault brothers and Kleman, while the Panthers notched wins at No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6.

Kleman and Trevor Ault then scored another close doubles victory, taking an 8-6 decision at No. 2 but HC won the remaining two contests to edge out Defiance by the 5-4 margin.

DC (1-6, 1-1 HCAC) will be back in action on Tuesday at Heidelberg. The match is set to begin at 3:30 pm.

Defiance def. Rose-Hulman; 5-4

Singles

No. 1 – William Draur (DC) def. Ben Paras; 6-2, 4-6, 1-0
No. 2 – Tyler Ault (DC) def. Scott Grubbs; 7-5, 6-1
No. 3 – Michael Schoumacher (RH) def. Austin Kleman; 6-2, 6-3
No. 4 – Trevor Ault (DC) def. David Becerra; 5-7, 7-6, 1-0
No. 5 – Alex Gumz (RH) def. Austin Gray; 6-2, 6-0
No. 6 – Seth Hendrickson (RH) def. Chance Brown; 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 – Draur/Ty. Ault (DC) def. Grubbs/Schoumacher; 8-5
No. 2 – Kleman/Tr. Ault (DC) def. Para/Becerra; 9-7
No. 3 – Brent Frizzell/Dallas Burton (RH) def. Gray/Brown; 8-1

Hanover def. Defiance; 5-4

Singles
No. 1 – Steven Gilliam (HC) def. William Draur; 6-0, 6-3
No. 2 – Tyler Ault (DC) def. Steve Craig; 6-4, 6-4
No. 3 – Austin Kleman (DC) def. Sam Pollom; 6-3, 6-3
No. 4 – Trevor Ault (DC) def. Ben Voorhorst; 6-0, 6-4
No. 5 – Kyle Bohnert (HC) def. Austin Gray; 6-3, 6-1
No. 6 – Matt Strandmark (HC) def. Chance Brown; 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
No. 1 – Gilliam/Pollom (HC) def. Draur/Ty. Ault; 8-3
No. 2 – Kleman/Tr. Ault (DC) def. Craig/Bohnert; 8-6
No. 3 – Voorhorst/Strandmark (HC) def. Gray/Brown; 8-0