March 22, 2006

Box Score

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State's Men's Tennis team fell to GLIAC foe 8-1 in Big Rapids Monday, March 20. Nirun Raju picked up the lone win with a 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 decision. The Lakers return to action this weekend with a pair of GLIAC home contests against Lake Superior State (March 25) and Michigan Tech (March 26).

The Lakers dropped a 9-0 decision to DePauw to start the season followed by a narrow 5-4 loss to Indianapolis. GVSU answered back with back-to-back victories against Southern Indiana (8-1) and Albion (7-2). The Lakers nearly beat USI 9-0 but #1 Kyle Dehne fell 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). Scott Gregory, Nirun Raju, and Jim Farmer each won their matches in three sets to claim the win. GVSU nearly swept the singles competition again when they took on Albion with Adam Sandusky highlighting the Laker effort with a 6-1, 6-1 win.

Grand Valley took its show to Orlando, Fla. for the spring trip. The Lakers posted a 4-1 record cruising to victories over St. Ambrose (9-0), Sacred Heart (9-0), and Saint Peter's (8-1). GVSU's lone loss came to Coe College (6-3) but bounced back with a 6-3 victory over Mount St. Mary's to wrap up the spring trip.

Upon returning home the Lakers took on West Michigan foes Hope and Calvin and opened the GLIAC season against Ferris State. Grand Valley won five of six singles matches and two of three doubles to beat Hope by a 7-2 margin. The Lakers tilt against Calvin was much closer as GVSU held on for a 5-4 win on the back of three singles victories (Adam Sandusky, Nirun Raju, and Jim Farmer) along with Grand Valley winning two of three doubles matches.

The opening of the GLIAC season was a different story as Grand Valley fell to #33 Ferris State by an 8-1 margin. Nirun Raju picked up the lone win with a 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 victory. Doubles duo Mike Bambini and Jim Farmer nearly added another win dropping a 9-8 (7-4) match to the Bulldogs. Raju has won 11 consecutive matches and is 16-6 in 2005-06.

Grand Valley will host Lake Superior State (March 25) and Michigan Tech (March 26) in a pair of GLIAC matches held in Grandville, Mich. at Ramblewood.