Franklin Stuns DC Men’s Tennis in HCAC Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 2010 season came to an abrupt end on Saturday for the Defiance College men's tennis program, as the Yellow Jackets suffered a surprising, 5-1, loss to the fifth-seeded Franklin Grizzlies in the opening round of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

Defiance had defeated Franklin by that same margin just two weeks ago but saw the tables turned this time around, as FC swept the doubles competitions to take a commanding three-point lead in the race to five.

Franklin then finished the victory by scoring straight-set wins at No. 1 and No. 3 singles to take the 5-1 team win. DC's only triumph came at No. 2 singles, where Tyler Ault earned a 6-3, 6-4 win against Nate Kelly.

Defiance ends the season with an 8-11 overall mark and a second place finish in the HCAC regular season standings. The loss marks the final competition for Tyler Ault and Austin Kleman, as the duo will graduate from DC this spring.

Franklin def. Defiance; 5-1

Doubles
No. 1 – Hamm/Moran (FC) def. Draur/Ty. Ault; 9-8 (7-5)
No. 2 – Nelly/Wareham (FC) def. Kleman/Tr. Ault; 8-5
No. 3 – Beeson/Smith (FC) def. Gray/Vandevender; 8-2

Singles
No. 1 – Matt Hamm (FC) def. Will Draur; 6-0, 6-0
No. 2 – Tyler Ault (DC) def. Nate Kelly; 6-3, 6-4
No. 3 – Blake Wareham (FC) def. Austin Kleman; 6-4, 6-3
No. 4 – Trevor Ault (DC) vs. Justin Smith; DNF
No. 5 – Austin Gray (DC) vs. Brandon Roberts; DNF
No. 6 – Mark Vandevender (DC) vs. Justin Moran; DNF