Flying Dutch Bow in NCAA Championships (5/8/13)
The NCAA tournament trail was a short one for the Flying Dutch who suffered a first round 5-0 loss in St. Louis, Mo. to DePauw on Thursday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch end with a 14-7 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) vs. Maggie MacPhail unfinished; 2. Claire Marshall (DP) d. Casey Baxter 6-0, 6-0; 3. Meg Crowley (DP d. Anna Garcia 6-1, 6-2; 4. Leah LaBarge, (H) vs. Julie Wittwer, unfinished; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) vs. Taylor Mahr, unfinished; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) vs. Elizabeth Young, unfinished.
DOUBLES: 1. Meg Crowley/Claire Marshall (DP) d. Carli Capestany/Leah LaBarge, 8-5; Maggie MacPhail/Caroline Emhardt, DePauw (DP d. Melissa Bieri/Anna Garcia 8-3; 3. Katlin Pickrel/Julie Wittwer (DP d. Andrea PIckelman/Stephanie Huffman, 8-5.

Flying Dutch Headed to St. Louis to Begin NCAA Play (5/6/13)
The MIAA champion Hope women's tennis team will be headed to St. Louis, Mo. for opening action in the NCAA Division III championships. The Flying Dutch earned the MIAA's automatic berth in the championship for the second consecutive year by winning the conference tournament. Hope was also the regular season champion with an 8-0 dual match record.

Hope will be part of a seven-team field competing in a first-second-third round regional to be hosted by Washington University-St. Louis on Thursday thru Saturday.

The Flying Dutch ((15-6 in dual matches this season) will face DePauw, Ind. (17-7) in a first round match. The time is to be announced. Host Washington (14-7) has a first round round bye. Other first round matches will pit Wheaton, Ill. (16-4) against Principia, Ill. (12-4) and Coe, Iowa (19-4) against Franklin. Ind. (13-2). The Hope/DePauw winner will meet the Coe/Franklin winner in the second round of the single elimination tournament.

The tournament field is comprised of 50 teams. The national championship finals will be hosted by MIAA member Kalamazoo from May 20-22. The Flying Dutch, coached by Adam Ford, will be making their eighth appearance in the NCAA championship, the third in the past five years. A year ago Coe, Iowa edged the Flying Dutch in a first round match, 5-4.

MIAA Honors & Recognitions Announced (5/6/13)
Members of the Hope College MIAA champion tennis teams have been presented awards and recognitions by conference coaches. Both Hope teams finished on top of their respective league races. Th Flying Dutch, coached by Adam Ford, repeated as conference women's champions while the Flying Dutchmen, coached by Steve Gorno, were part of a three-way tie for the men's championship.

Senior Bobby Cawood of East Lansing (East Lansing HS), pictured upper left, was voted the men's MIAA most valuable player. He was also named to the All-MIAA team for a third consecutive year. Teammates Parker Bussies, a junior from Zeeland (Zeeland West HS) and Jason Muller, a senior from Petoskey (Petoskey HS), were named to the All-MIAA second team. Senior Kyle Kreps of Holland, pictured lower left, (Holland HS) was named the recipient of the MIAA's Allen B. Stowe Sportsmanship award. He is the 21st Hope recipient of the award, the tenth since 2000. A year ago teammate Bobby Cawood received the honor.

In women's tennis, sophomore Carli Capestany of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS), pictured upperm right, received All-MIAA first team honors for a second year while teammates Casey Baxter, a senior from Saline (Saline HS) and Anna Garcia, a freshman from Battle Creek (Lakeview HS) were named to the All-MIAA second team. Leah LaBarge, a senior from Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS), pictured lower left, was named the recipient of the Karen Caine Scholar-Athlete award. A geology major, LaBarge graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Flying Dutch Headed to NCAA Championship (5/3/13)
Match Summary
The Flying Dutch are headed to the NCAA Division III championships for the second consecutive year after winning the MIAA tournament title on Friday. Coach Adam Ford's Flying Dutch defeated Kalamazoo 5-1 to gain the post-season opportunity for the eighth time in school history.

The match, held indoors at Hope's DeWitt Tennis Center because of inclement weather, was played to decision. The Flying Dutch opened by sweeping the three doubles matches. Victories at the third (Anna Garcia) and sixth (Andrea Pickelman) flights of singles sealed the decision as the Flying Dutch improved to 15-6 on the season.

The NCAA bracket and locations of regional tournaments will be announced on Monday.

Flying Dutch Advance to MIAA Tournament Championship Game (5/2/13)
The Hope College women's tennis team will be bidding for a return trip to the NCAA Division III championships when the Flying Dutch host Kalamazoo on Friday in the title game of the MIAA tournament. Both teams advanced to the championship match behind semi-final victories on Thursday. Hope defeated rival Calvin 5-0 in a match played to decision while Kalamazoo topped Albion 5-3. The championship match will be played at Hope's new VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts beginning at 4 p.m. Coach Adam Ford's Flying Dutch have a 14-6 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) vs. Megan Visser, incomplete; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Jordan Ipema, 6-1, 6-1; 3. Anna Garcia (H) vs. Ali Roode, incomplete; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Bethany Zoerhof, 6-2, 6-1; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) vs. Samantha Reitsema, incomplete; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) vs. Elise Doezema, incomplete.
DOUBLES: 1. Carli Capestany/Leah LaBarge (H) d. Megan Visser/Bethany Zoerhof 8-2; 2. Melissa Bieri/Anna Garcia (H) d. Jordan Ipema/Elise Doezema, 8-6; 3. Stephanie Huffman/Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Samantha Reitsma/Ali Roode, 8-5.

Flying Dutch Clinch Outright MIAA Championship (4/27/13)
The Flying Dutch clinched an outright MIAA championship behind a 9-0 home victory over Adrian on Saturday. The championship, under first-year coach Adam Ford, is the 21st in school history. Next for the Flying Dutch is the conference tournament which will determine who represents the MIAA in the NCAA championship. The Flying Dutch will host rival Calvin Thursday in a semi-final match.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Arielle Williams 6-1, 6-2; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Morgan Spencer 6-1, 6-3; 3. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Jordene Frenczi 6-0, 6-1; 4. Melissa Bierri (H) d. Karen Kienetz 6-2, 6-0; 5. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Justine Hanson 6-2, 6-0; 6. Kelsey Jeletz (H) d. Kathryn Van Warmer 6-0, 6-1.
DOUBLES: 1. Baxter-Anna Garcia (H) d. Williams-Spencer 8-5; 2. LaBarge-Bieri (H) d. Frenczi-Kienetz 8-0; 3. Meg Ahlgrim-Pickelman (H) d. Van Warmer-Hanson 8-0.

Flying Dutch Clinch Second Straight MIAA Title (4/24/13)
The Flying Dutch clinched a share of their second straight MIAA championship by defeating visiting Albion 6-3 on Wednesday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch are 7-0 in league duals with one match remaining. The Flying Dutch will go for an outright title on Saturday when they host Adrian. The MIAA championship is the 21st in school history and the third over the past five years. The Flying Dutch swept the three doubles matches before splitting the six singles. The victory gives Hope a 13-6 overall record.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Marissa Cloutier 7-5, 6-2; 2. Katie Blumberg (A) d. Casey Baxter 1-6, 6-4, 10-8; 3. Heather Vogt (A) d. Anna Garcia 6-4, 2-6, 11-9; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Marissa Messenger 6-3, 6-0; 5. Margaux Kabodian (A) d. Melissa Bieri 6-2, 6-1; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Leah Sauman 6-4, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany-LaBarge (H) d. Vogt-Kabodian 8-3; 2. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Blumberg-Sauman 8-6; 3. Baxter-Garcia d. Cloutier-Messenger 8-4.

Flying Dutch Remain Unbeaten in MIAA (4/20/13)
The Flying Dutch moved closer to repeating as MIAA champions by posting an 8-1 victory over visiting Saint Mary's on Saturday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 6-0 MIAA record with two home matches remaining, Albion on Wednesday and Adrian next Saturday. Albion has a 6-1 conference record and was the last MIAA team to defeat Hope. The Flying Dutch have won 15 consecutive MIAA matches since that 2011 loss. With her second flight victory on Saturday, senior Casey Baxter joined an elite group of Flying Dutch players by posting her 50th career singles win.
SINGLES: 1. Carl Capestany (H) d. Mary Catherine Faller 6-3, 6-2; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Kayle Sexton 6-2, 6-1; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Shannon Elliott 6-0, 6-2; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Audrey Kiefer 6-1, 6-1; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Jackie Kjolhede 7-5, 6-2; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Margaret Faller 7-6 (2), 6-4.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany-LaBarge (H) d. Mary Catherin Faller-Sexton 8-1; 2. Margaret Faller-Elliott (SM) d. Bieri-Garcia 8-3; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Kjolhede-Kiefer 8-4.

Flying Dutch Bow to Division II Lakers (4/16/13)
The Flying Dutch suffered a 9-0 loss to visiting Grand Valley State on Tuesday in the team's first outdoor match at the new VandePoel-Heeringa Stadium Courts. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 10-6 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Niki Shipman (GV) d. Carli Capestany 4-6, 6-3, 10-7; 2. Leah Dancz (GV) d. Casey Baxter 6-1, 7-5; 3. Lexi Rice (GV) d. Anna Garcia 6-0, 6-0; 4. Morgan Carney (GV) d. Leah LaBarge 6-0, 6-0; 5. Claire Cooper (GV) d. Melissa Bieri 6-0, 6-1; 6. Morgan Patterson (GV) d. Andrea Pickelman 6-2, 6-2.
DOUBLES: 1. Rice-Katelyn Schaffer (GV) d. Capestany-LaBarge 8-6; 2. Dancz-Allison Fecko (GV) d. Bieri-Garcia 8-2; 3. Shipman-Carney (GV) d. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman 8-2.

Hope Freshman Honored by MIAA Coaches (4/15/13)
The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Hope's Anna Garcia its Player of the Week. A freshman from Battle Creek (Lakeview HS), Garcia won both her matches at No. 3 singles and both matches at No. 2 doubles as the Flying Dutch won twice to remain in a tie for first place in the MIAA race. She posted a 6-3, 6-2 victory against Alma and did not lose a game in a 6-0, 6-0 win against Trine in her singles matches. She also won a tiebreaker at No. 2 doubles in a 9-8 win over Trine’s doubles team. Garcia, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time, is 13-1 on the season in singles.

Flying Dutch Remain Undefeated in League Play (4/12/13)
The Flying Dutch remained undefeated in conference duals topping host Trine 7-2 on Thursday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 5-0 record against MIAA opponents and are 10-5 overall.
SINGLES: 1. Jessica Huhnke (T) d. Carli Capestany 6-1, 6-2; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Chrissy Uphaus 6-1, 6-1; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Erin Kwaske 6-0, 6-0; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Lauren Schueter 7-6 (2), 6-2; 5. Stephanie Huffman (H) d, Samantha Willmann 6-3, 6-0; 6. Maggie Mulder (H) d. Erin Kwaske 6-0, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany-LaBarge (H) d. Uphaus-Huhnke 8-5; 2. Melissa Bieri-Garcia (H) d. Willman-Schueter 9-8 (5); 3. Lexi Mack-Kwaske (T) d. Kelsey Jeletz-Meg Ahlgrim 8-1.

Flying Dutch Remain Undefeated in MIAA Duals (4/10/13)
The Flying Dutch remained unbeaten in conference play scoring a 9-0 victory over host Alma on Wednesday. Coach Adam Ford's Flying Dutch are 4-0 in MIAA duals and 9-5 overall.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Megan Solano 7-5, 6-3; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Tara Patton 6-3, 6-0; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Katie Meloche 6-3, 6-2; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Margaret Miller 6-0, 6-3; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Lauren Moreau 6-0, 6-1; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Brittney Miller 7-5, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Carli Capestany/Leah LaBarge (H) d. Megan Solano/Tara Patton 8-6; 2. Anna Garcia/Melissa Bieri (H) d. Katie Meloche/Brittney Miller 8-4; 3. Andrea Pickelman/Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Morgan Waier/Margaret Miller 8-6.

Flying Dutch Bow in Michigan-Ohio Challenge (4/6/13)
The Flying Dutch suffered three losses in the Michigan-Ohio Challenge they hosted. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have an 8-5 season record.
Ohio Northern 6, Hope 3
SINGLES: 1. Michelle Tuma (O) d. Carli Capestany 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) 2. Christina Corbean (O) d. Casey Baxter 6-2, 6-3; 3. Kristin Cellentani (O) d. Anna Garcia 6-4, 7-5; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Meghan Letizia 5-7, 6-4, 10-7; 5. Brittany Miller (O) d. Andrea Pickelman 6-1, 6-4; 6. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Taryn Stromback (O) 6-4, 6-2.
DOUBLES: 1. Tuma-Rachael Miller (O) d. Capestany-Baxter 8-3; 2. Letizia-Carly Olmstead (O) d, Garcia-Bieri 8-3; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Corbean-Stromback 9-8 (7-1).
Oberlin 5, Hope 0
SINGLES: 1. Farah Leclerog (O) d. Carli Capestany 6-3, 6-0; 2. Brenna Sheldon (O) d. Casey Baxter 7-5, 6-2; 3. DNH, 4. DNF, 5. DNF, 6. DNF
DOUBLES: Leclerog-Grace Porter (O) d. Capestany-Leah LaBarge 8-2; 2. Sheldon-Preeya Shah (O) d. Melissa Bieri-Anna Garcia 8-6; 3. Erin Johnson-Ariana Abayomi (O) d. Andrea Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman 8-6.
Kenyon 5, Hope 4
SINGLES: 1. Amy Schlessman (K) d. Carli Capestany 6-4, 6-1; 2. Taylor Diffley (K) d. Casey Baxter 6-4, 7-5; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Amanda Polster 4-6, 7-5, 6-2; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Lydia Winkler 6-4, 6-2; 5. Lauren Hoffman (K) d. Melissa Bieri 6-4, 7-6 (5); 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Sami Murphy 6-2, 6-4.
DOUBLES: 1. Schlessman-Diffley (K) d. Capestany-LaBarge 8-2; 2. Hoffman-Polster (K) d. Bieri-Garia 8-6; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Younger-Murphy 8-5.

Flying Dutch Win Showdown of Regionally Ranked Teams (4/2/13)
In a showdown of regionally ranked teams, the #15 Flying Dutch gained a 6-3 victory over #13 Kalamazoo to remain unbeaten in conference play. Hope opened by winning two-of-three doubles matches and then took four-of-six in singles. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch improved to 3-0 in MIAA dual matches and 8-2 overall.
SINGLES: 1. Sarah Woods (K) d. Carli Capestany 6-4, 6-2; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Jenna Riehl 6-1, 6-3; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Kelsey Moran 2-6, 6-0, 6-0; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Anna Latala 6-3, 6-4; 5. Olivia Bouchard (K) d. Melissa Bieri 6-3, 6-4; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Cheryl Zhang (K) 7-5, 6-4.
DOUBLES: 1. Sarah Woods/Olivia Bouchard (K) d. Carli Capestany/Leah LaBarge (H) 8-6; 2. Melissa Bieri/Anna Garcia (H) d. Jenna Riehl/Anna Latala 8-3; 3. Andrea Pickelman/Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Kelsey Moran/Cheryl Zhang 8-2.

Flying Dutch Blank Rival Calvin to Stay Unbeaten in MIAA (3/30/13)
The Flying Dutch remained unbeaten in conference matches behind a 9-0 victory over rival Calvin on Saturday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch are 2-0 in the MIAA and 7-2 overall. Hope leads the alltime series with Calvin 29-10 behind their fourth straight win in the rivalry.
SINGLES: Carli Capestany (H) d. Megan Visser 6-4, 6-0; 2. Casey Bsxter (H) d. Jordan Ipema 6-0, 6-1; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Ali Roode 6-3, 6-1; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Bethany Zoerhof 6-1, 6-1; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Elise Doezema 6-3, 6-0 6. Andrea Pickelman d. Courtney Selvius 6-3, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany/LaBarge (H) d. Visser/Zoerhof 8-2; 2. Bieri/Garcia d. Ipema/Doezema (H) 8-3; 3. Stephanie Huffman/Pickelman d. Samantha Reitsma/Roode 8-4

Flying Dutch Edged in Non-League Match (3/29/13)
The Flying Dutch were edged by Davenport 5-4 in a Thursday non-league match. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 6-2 season record.
SINGLES: Emily Spiech (D) d. Carli Capestany 3-6, 6-2, 6-1; 2. Alyssa Fuentes (D) d. Casey Baxter 6-1, 6-1; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Kristi Kuzdal 6-4, 6-4; 4. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Marcie Kooyers 6-3, 6-2; 5. Angelica Woods (D) d. Melissa Bieri 6-3, 2-6, 6-4; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Katie VanDerLaan 6-0, 6-1.
DOUBLES: 1. Fuentes-Spiech (D) d. Capestany-LaBarge 8-4; 2. Woods-Kooyers (D) d. Bieri-Garcia 8-4; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Kuzdal-VanDerLaan 8-6.

Flying Dutch Post Shutout Win in MIAA Opener (3/27/13)
The Flying Dutch opened conference play with a 9-0 shutout of visiting Olivet on Tuesday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch improved to 6-1 in dual matches with their fifth consecutive victory.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Caitlin LaValley 6-3, 6-2; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Jennifer Lightner 6-0, 6-0; 3. Anna Garcia (H) d. Courtney Kidder 6-0, 6-0; 4. Meg Ahlgrim (H) d. Devan Thomas 6-0, 6-0; 5. Maggie Mulder (H) d. Lucia McNally 6-0, 6-0; 6. Kelsey Jeletz (H) d. Heather Kennedy 6-0, 6-1.
DOUBLES: Capestany-Leah LaBarge (H) d. LaValley-Lightner 8-1; 2. Melissa Bieri-Garcia (H) d. Kidder-Sarah Crittenden 8-0; 3. Andrea Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. McNally-Thomas 8-0.

Flying Dutch Go Undefeated in Florida Matches (3/21/13)
The Flying Dutch finished a perfect week in Florida by defeating Grinnell, Iowa 7-2 on Friday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch went 4-0 on their spring break trip and have a 5-1 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Laura Krull (G) d. Carli Capestany 6-2, 6-4; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Shirlene Luk 3-6, 6-3, 10-6; 3. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Catherine Fitch 6-1, 6-3; 4. Anna Garcia (H) d. Emma McDonald 6-0, 6-2; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Emily Groth 6-1, 6-1; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Julia Rumley 6-1, 6-2.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany-LaBarge (H) d. Clothlide Theroulin 8-4; 2. Fitch-Krull (G) d. Bieri-Garcia 8-5; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Rumley-McDonald 8-2.

Flying Dutch Remain Undefeated in Florida (3/20/13)
The Flying Dutch remained unbeaten in Florida scoring a 6-3 victory over UW-LaCrosse. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 4-1 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Abby Tresselar (L) d. Carli Capestany 6-4, 3-6 (10-7); 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Bre Blanton 6-2, 6-3; 3. Kimmy Mrozek (L) d. Leah LaBarge 6-3, 6-3; 4. Anna Garcia (H) d. Kendra Woyahn 6-2, 6-1; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Jenny Graham 6-1, 6-2; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Rachael Webers 6-2, 6-2.
DOUBLES: 1. Tresselar-Blanton (L) d. Capestany-LaBarge 8-5; 2. Bieri-Garcia (H) d. Mrozek-Woyahn 8-1; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Graham-Webers 9-7.

Flying Dutch Win Second Florida Match (3/19/13)
The Flying Dutch swept the singles matches en route to an 8-1 victory over UW-Oshkiosh on Tuesday in Florida. Coach Adam Ford''s Dutch are 2-0 in their spring break matches and 3-1 overall.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Morgan Counts 6-3, 7-5; 2. Casey Baxter (H) d. Valerie Langkau 6-2, 6-3; 3. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Erica Van Riper 6-2, 6-1; 4. Anna Garcia (H) d. Karlie Laveau 6-1, 6-2; 5. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Lora Waldman 6-1, 6-1; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Hannah Bostwick 6-4, 6-4.
DOUBLES: 1. Counts-Langkau (W) d. Capestany-LaBarge 8-6; 2. Bieri-Garcia (H) d. Van Riper-Laveau 8-6; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Maggie Bolton-Bostwick 8-0.

Flying Dutch Post Victory in Florida Opener (3/18/13)
The Flying Dutch opened their annual spring break trip to Florida with a 9-0 victory over the University of Minnesota-Crookston on Monday. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 2-1 season record.
SINGLES: 1. Carli Capestany (H) d. Holly Roepke 6-1, 6-2; Casey Baxter (H) d. Katelyn Johnson 6-1, 6-4; 3. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Catherine Brown 6-2, 6-1; 4. Anna Garcia (H) d. Amanda Pihlaja 6-2, 6-1; Melissa Bieri (H) d. Casey Paris 6-1, 6-0; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Amanda Newman 6-1, 6-0.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany-LaBarge (H) d. Johnson-Brown 8-1; 2. Bierri-Garcia (H) d. Pihlaja-Roepke 8-2; 3. Pickelman-Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Paris-Emily Caldis 8-2.

Flying Dutch Edged by Division II Ferris State (3/2/13)
The Flying Dutch suffered their first dual meet setback of the season Saturday bowing to Division II Ferris State 5-4. Coach Adam Ford's Dutch have a 1-1 season record.
SINGLES: Ana Jan (F d. Carli Capestany 6-3, 6-1; Tabitha Simpson (F) d. Casey Baxter 6-3, 6-3; 3. Laurence LeBlanc (F) d. Leah LaBarge; 4. Janie Sell (F) d. Melissa Bieri 7-6 (3), 6-3; 5. Anna Garcia (H) d. Julie Fusik 2-6, 6-3, 14-12; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Anne Smudz 6-2, 6-1.
DOUBLES: 1. Capestany/LaBarge (H) d. Jan/Simpson 8-6; 2. LeBlanc/Seell (F) d. Bieri/Garcia 8-5; 3. Pickelman/Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Julie/Rebecca Beloungea 8-2.

Flying Dutch Open Season With Victory (2/19/13)
The Flying Dutch, under first-year coach Adam Ford, opened their season with a 7-2 victory over Aquinas on Tuesday. Playing indoors at the Riverview Athletic Club in Grand Rapids, the Flying Dutch swept the doubles and captured four of six singles matches.
SINGLES
1. Lauren Ramey (A) d. Carli Capestany 6-1,6-1; 2. Daniela Fonseca (A) d. Casey Baxter 6-2,6-1; 3. Leah LaBarge (H) d. Ariana Kabodian 6-2,6-2; 4. Melissa Bieri (H) d. Rilie DuShane 7-6(5),6-3; 5. Anna Garcia (H) d. Marjeane Bothma 6-2,6-1; 6. Andrea Pickelman (H) d. Jen Miller - 6-0,6-0
DOUBLES
1. Carli Capestany/Leah LaBarge (H) d. Lauren Ramey/Rilie DuShane 9-8 (4); 2. Melissa Bieri/Anna Garcia (H) d. Daniela Fonseca/Gina Kukulski - Hope 8-4; 3. Andrea Pickelman/Stephanie Huffman (H) d. Ariana Kabodian/Marjeane Bothma 8-2

The 2013 Flying Dutch will be seeking to repeat as champions of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and gain a return trip to the NCAA Division III championship.

The Flying Dutch approach the season with the added excitement of playing at the college's new Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts. The 12-court facility is being considered among the finest in NCAA Division III. It compliments the college's nearby DeWitt Tennis Center which features six indoor court.

The team is under first-year coach Adam Ford. Coach Ford is no stranger to Hope tennis. He has been employed at the college's DeWitt Tennis Center since 2005 and has served as the facility's head pro since 2010.

The 2012 Flying Dutch won the conference championship without a senior on the roster. The team was undefeated in MIAA dual matches (8-0) and posted an overall 18-8 record.

The pre-season roster of 10 players includes two freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and three seniors. Co-captains are seniors Melissa Bieri of Holland (Holland Christian HS) and Leah LaBarge of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS).

Other returning letterwinners are senior Casey Baxter of Saline (Saline HS), sophomore Carli Capestany of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS), junior Stephanie Huffman of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Eastern HS), junior Kelsey Jeletz of Cedarburg, Wisc. (Cedarburg HS), and junior Andrea Pickelman of Marshall (Marshall HS).

Three returning players received all-conference honors in 2012. Carli Capestany was named to the first team and juniors Leah LaBarge and Casey Baxter were second team honorees.

In addition to exceling on the courts, the Flying Dutch were named to the All-Academic honor rolls of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). Returning players named national Scholar-Athletes were Casey Baxter. Melissa Bieri, Carli Capestany, Kelsey Jeletz, and Leah LaBarge.

After playing in a series of indoor matches, the Flying Dutch will travel to Orlando, Fla. for their annual Spring Break trip the week of March 18-21. The first scheduled match on the Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts will be a league dual match on Tuesday, March 26.

Hope Names New Women's Tennis Coach (10/23/12)
A change in the leadership of the Hope women's tennis program has been announced with the appointment of Adam Ford as head coach. He succeeds Nate Price who has stepped down to concentrate on new professional and family obligations.

"Nate was a terrific coach for our womens' program for three years in the wake of coach Karen Page's untimely death in 2009," said co-athletic director Eva Dean Folkert. "For the ways he stabilized a grieving program while maintaining a high level of competitive achievement that culminated in a MIAA championship in 2012, we will always be grateful and wish him the very best."

Ford is no stranger to Hope tennis. He has been employed at the college's DeWitt Tennis Center since 2005 and has served as the facility's head pro since 2010. continue

Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts Make Debut
The new Vande Poel-Heeringa Stadium Courts have made their debut with the beginning of summer-long programs sponsored by the Hope Tennis Academy. The 12-court facility gives Hope its first college-owned outdoor tennis courts in more than half-a-century. The new courts join the six-court DeWitt indoor facility in comprising the Etheridge Tennis Complex at the Ekdal J. Buys athletic fields. Learn More About the Project / Latest Photos

Hope Tennis Teams Honored for Academics (7/6/12)
Both 2012 Hope tennis squads have been named to the All-Academic honor roll of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). In addition, a total of 13 players from the two teams have been honored as ITA Scholar-Athletes.

The ITA honor roll required a cumulative team grade point average of 3.20 or above (on a 4.00 scale). The Flying Dutch, coached by Nate Price, maintained a cumulative 3.633 GPA during the 2011-12 school year while the Flying Dutchmen, coached by Steve Gorno, had a 3.598 cumulative GPA.

Scholar-Athlete recognitions were presented to players who maintained at least a 3.5 GPA for the entire school year. Hope honorees included (school year was in 2011-12): Casey Baxter. junior from Saline (Saline HS); Melissa Bieri, junior from Holland (Holland Christian HS); Parker Bussies, sophomore from Zeeland (Zeeland West HS); Carli Capestany, freshman from Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS); Gabe Casher, sophomore from Ann Arbor (Pioneer HS); Kelsey Jeletz, sophomore from Cedarburg, Wisc. (Cedarburg HS); Kyle Kreps, junior from Holland (Holland HS); Leah LaBarge, junior from Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS); Daniel Owens, junior from Rocky River, Ohio (Rocky River HS); Hannah Schulz, freshman from Allegan (Allegan HS); Shelby Schulz, junior from Allegan (Allegan HS); Mallory Smith, sophomore from Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS); and Davis Vanderveen, junior from Clarkston (Clarkston HS).

Both Hope tennis teams were also named to the Academic Honor Roll of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Flying Dutch Compete in NCAA Championships (5/9/12)
As champions of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the Flying Dutch competed in the post-season tournament for the seventh time in school history. Playing in the NCAA Division III Regional tournament in Greencastle, Ind., coach Nate Price's Flying Dutch were edged by Coe, Iowa 5-4. The Flying Dutch capped their MIAA championship season by winning the conference tournament with a 5-2 victory over Albion. The Flying Dutch posted an 18-8 dual match record.

Carli Capestany, Casey Baxter, Leah LaBarge

All-MIAA Honors Presented to Hope Players (5/7/12)
Three Hope players received all-conference honors from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). Freshman Carli Capestany of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS) was named to the All-MIAA first team. She was the only first-year player to receive first team recognition. Named to the All-MIAA second team were juniors Leah LaBarge of Hudsonville (Hudsonville HS) and Casey Baxter (Saline/Saline HS).