WHITEWATER, Wis. - The Kalamazoo College men's tennis team was defeated 4-2 by Grinnell College in the first round of the NCAA III Championships on Friday.

Grinnell won the doubles point with 6-2 wins at two and three doubles. Kalamazoo won two singles matches but three close wins by the Pioneers gave Grinnell the 4-2 win.

Derek Blackwell won 6-1, 7-6(3) at four singles for Kalamazoo. Julian Bilbao won 7-6(4), 6-4 at six singles.

Grinnell won 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 at two singles and 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(4) at three singles. The Pioneers also won 6-3, 7-6(7) at five singles. Grinnell was leading in the third set at one singles when the match was decided.

Kalamazoo's season ends with a 15-6 overall record. The Hornets won the MIAA regular season championship with a 7-0 league record. Kalamazoo advanced to the NCAA III Championships after winning the MIAA Tournament as well.