Jackets Split a Pair of Matches to Open 2013 Season

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College men's tennis team went 1-1 on its opening day, as the Jackets defeated St. Francis by a score of 7-2 in the morning session before falling to undefeated Baldwin-Wallace in the afternoon by a score of 9-0.

The Jackets opened up play by grabbing a 2-1 lead over the Cougars after doubles play ended. DC's number one doubles team of Ryan Nelson and Cord Speelman set the tone early for the Purple and Gold, as the pair cruised to an 8-1 win. The two doubles tandem of Craig Bills and Mike Ross followed suit for the Purple and Gold by claiming a comfortable 8-2 victory.

Defiance kept up its strong play during singles action, as the Jackets won 5-of-6 matches, all in straight sets. Nelson and Justin Walker won in the most convincing fashion, as both players blanked his opponent by scores of 6-0, 6-0. Ross and Speelman each dropped one game apiece in their easy victories and Michael Vanderkolk recorded his first-career victory as a Yellow Jacket with a 6-3, 6-1 win at six singles.

The Jackets then played Baldwin-Wallace in the second part of the dual-match. BW controlled play from the beginning and were too strong for Defiance. Baldwin-Wallace swept all three matches of doubles play and won six in singles action on its way to a 9-0 victory.

The Purple and Gold will bring its 1-1 record into the team's first conference match of the season on Sunday, as the Jackets face Franklin College. The match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be hosted by Defiance.