Galesburg, IL – Defending Midwest Conference champion Grinnell College’s men’s tennis team showed why they’ve dominated the league for the past decade.

The Pioneers (18-5, 3-0 MWC South) defeated the Prairie Fire 9-0 on Friday at Lakeside in Galesburg.  Cold and rainy weather prompted the match to be moved indoors.

Grinnell, which has won eight straight MWC men’s tennis championships and nine of the last 10, will be the favorite again this season. 

The Pioneers swept singles and doubles play, but Knox didn’t just hand over the matches.

First-year player Walter Palmer (Wilmette, IL, New Trier) made his opponent, Ishan Bhadkamkar, work hard for a 7-5 victory in the first set of their #4 singles match.  Bhadkamkar prevailed by winning the second set 6-1.

Grinnell’s Elliott Czarnecki also earned his win against his #1 singles counterpart, senior Erik Hane (Littleton, CO, Mullen).  Elliott Czarnecki eventually came away with a 6-3, 6-3 victory in the match.

None of the three doubles matches were lopsided.  The Pioneers won #1 doubles 8-4, #2 doubles 8-5, and #3 doubles 8-4.

Grinnell and Monmouth play for the conference title on April 21 at Grinnell.  The Fighting Scots have already qualified for the MWC Team Tournament on April 28.

The Prairie Fire (4-12, 0-3 MWC South) hosts Illinois College (1-9, 0-3 MWC South), the last match of the regular season, on April 21.  Knox will then gear up for the MWC Singles and Doubles Championships in Madison, Wisconsin on April 29 and 30.

View the Midwest Conference men's tennis standings HERE

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