The Flying Dutchmen face a major rebuilding task. Gone are five seniors who contributed to Hope's second place finish in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Coach Steve Gorno begins his 18th season at the helm of the program with three returning letterwinners. The pre-season roster includes six freshmen, two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.

The returning letterwinners are senior co-captains John Gardner of Granville, Ohio (Granville HS) and Michael Garland of Kohler, Wisc. (Kohler HS). Gardner received All-MIAA first team honors in 2009 and was a second team honoree as both a freshman and sophomore. Sophomore Alex Hughes of Hudson, Ohio also lettered in his first collegiate season.

The pre-season roster includes returning players Kevin Hagan, a junior from Okemos (Okemos HS); Jonathan Lautz, a junior from Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North HS); and Kyle McKey, a sophomore from Stevensville (Stevensville HS).

The team's 6-3 victory over Albion in the consolation championship match of the MIAA tournament was the 200th under coach Steve Gorno. Over 17 seasons coach Gorno's teams have posted a 200-142 record in dual matches.

Senior John Pelton of Rock Hills, S.C. (Midland, Mich. HS) was voted the MIAA's most valuable player for the second straight year. He was also presented the MIAA's Stowe Sportsmanship award while senior teammate John Scholtz of Kirkwood, Mo. (Kirkwood HS) was the recipient of the Lawrence Green Scholarship. Joining Pelton on the All-MIAA first team was junior teammate John Gardner of Granville, Ohio (Granville HS). Schlotz received All-MIAA second team honors.

John Pelton Advances to NCAA Second Round
Senior John Pelton achieved All-America honors by advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III tennis singles tournament in Claremont, Calif. Pelton opened with a first round victory over James Muliawan of Carnegie-Mellon, Pa. 6-2, 6-4, but lost in three sets in the second round to second-seeded Larry Wang of host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3. Pelton was unseeded in the 32 player tournament. In 2009 Pelton compiled a 21-2 record and ended his Hope career with a 43-5 mark.

Flying Dutchmen Honored for Sportsmanship
The Hope men's and UCLA women's tennis teams have been honored as April's recipients of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Sportsmanship Award, the ITA announced Monday.

The ITA National Team Sportsmanship Award is a monthly award that goes to one men's and one women's team that has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and collegiate tennis. continue