KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Although the Trine University men’s tennis team dropped their conference opening match to defending conference champion Kalamazoo, the Thunder can use the 7-2 result as momentum going forward as it marked the first time since 2008 that they took multiple matches from the Hornets.

Trine (4-7) was led by freshman Caleb Knust (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) at the top singles position who won his match over All-MIAA player Peter Rothstein 6-2, 6-1. The other victory for the Thunder came at the sixth position as junior Nick Ihrie (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) won his match 5-7, 6-2, 10-3. At the No. 5 spot, sophomore Joey Clark (Sturgis, Mich./Sturgis) fell in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 10-4. In other singles action, seniors Dan Desper (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble)  and David Murray (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) fell at the third  and fourth positions 6-2, 6-1 and 6-3, 6-1 respectively. Rounding out the singles matches was junior Joe Dunbar (Carmel, Ind./Blessed Theodore Guerin) who dropped his No. 2 match 6-2, 6-0.

In doubles action, the team of Dunbar and sophomore Zach Richardson (Muncie, Ind./Delta) nearly knocked off their opponents at the second spot as they fell 8-6. At the top position, the team of Knust and Desper fell 8-3 and Ihrie and Murray dropped their third doubles match 8-1.

Trine will look to get back on the winning track when they host Hope on April 3 at 4:00 p.m.