After pushing their record to 7-3 with two victories last weekend, the men's tennis team hits the road Saturday at 9 a.m. to face Grinnell College and Graceland University in Grinnell, Iowa.
The 'Hawks, ranked ninth by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III central rankings, defeated Carroll College, 8-1, and came back from a 4-1 deficit to defeat No. 8-ranked Carleton College, 5-4, last Saturday. The two impressive victories leave the 'Hawks confident heading into their matchup with the No. 12-ranked Grinnell Pioneers.
"Grinnell is going to be really tough," head coach Frank Barnes said. "We match up with them right down the line and it's probably going to be another match just like Carleton."
Senior Mike Harmatys said it is important the team takes the right mindset into the match this weekend.
"We have to treat this match the same way we did with Carleton," Harmatys said. "Just because we're a couple of spots ahead of them, doesn't mean we can let up in any way."
Harmatys was a big part of the 'Hawks comeback victory, as he scored a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (13-11) victory over Carleton freshman Peter Dunn. Harmatys fought off seven match points to complete the 'Hawks come-from-behind victory.
"Mike had a great match," Barnes said. "He was behind and fought off a couple match points. He fought off a 6-3 deficit in the tiebreaker and came back and won it."
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