The Goshen College men’s tennis team gave head coach Stan King another first on Saturday. For the first time in his 11 years as head coach, the men’s tennis team was able to pull off a win over Bethel College in a closely contested match.
The Maple Leafs started the day slowly with Alejandro Davalos and Chanuk Algama losing the No. 3 and No. 4 singles matches, respectively. However, the Leafs responded with seniors Aaron Sutter and Joel King dominating in the No. 1 and No. 2 singles matches, which tied the overall team score at 2-2. Sophomore Benjamin Basnet gave Goshen the advantage by winning his singles match, but Daniel Buschert could not battle back in his match, and he eventually fell in three sets. “Daniel came back from a 3-5 deficit in his second set and fought off two match points before winning that set 7-5 but couldn’t keep things going his way in the third set, and we went into doubles play tied 3-3,” described Stan King.In doubles play, Sutter and King once again were dominant, winning their match 8-4. All eyes were on the No. 3 doubles match after Bethel tied the overall score at 4-4 by winning the No. 2 doubles match. “Benjamin [Basnet] and Daniel [Buschert] fell behind 6-5, but they were able to win the last three games and the match by a 9-7 score, sealing the win for the Maple Leafs,” King explained. “It was great to be able to squeak out this win.”
The Maple Leafs looked to improve their record to .500 on the season in their home match against Indiana Wesleyan University, but failed to do so, falling to the Wildcats 3-5. Next, the Leafs will host Marian University this Saturday at 11 am.
