By: Ryan Hartwig (@RyanHartwig)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay men's tennis team (1-1) bounced back from its season-opening loss to Western Michigan on Friday with a convincing 7-0 victory over IPFW Saturday at the West Hills Athletic Club. The Phoenix took all three doubles matches before sweeping the six singles contests in straight sets.

"We rebounded well after a tough loss yesterday," head coach Mark Thomas said. "From top to bottom in both doubles and singles we played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm."

Juniors Craig Cox (Surrey, England) and Erik Finkenbrink (Duelman, Germany) opened the day with a hard-fought victory at the No. 1 doubles spot, battling IPFW's Connor Andrews and Roberto Cabrini before earning an 8-7 (5) win. The freshman combo of Felix Goepper (Seelbach, Germany) and Michael Tenzer (Neuried, Germany) dominated the No. 2 doubles spot, cruising to an 8-0 win over the Mastadons' Daniel Kang and Junya Saruta.

Tenzer turned around to defeat Cabrini in the top singles spot, trouncing the IPFW senior 6-1, 6-4. Finkenbrink also earned a comfortable win at the No. 2 spot, beating Andres Cobos 6-1, 6-2.

Green Bay's Goepper, Paul Swanson (Coon Rapids, Minn.), Cox, and Michael Tebon (Excelsior, Minn.) also won their singles bouts in straight sets at the Nos. 3-6 spots, respectively.

Thomas was particularly pleased with Cox's performance over the weekend, posting an unbeaten record in both singles and doubles play.

"I was especially proud of Craig's come-from-behind win against Western Michigan as well as his No. 1 doubles win (with Finkenbrink) against IPFW, where the last few points of the tie-break were won on his racquet," Thomas said. "He has worked hard to develop the mental side of his game and it really showed this weekend."

The Phoenix returns to action next Friday for its first home contest of the spring season, a 6 p.m. meeting with Michigan Tech. It begins a three-day, three-match homestand in which Green Bay also hosts Bradley and Carleton.

Doubles:
No. 1 - Craig Cox/Erik Finkenbrink (GB) def. Connor Andrews/Roberto Cabrini (IPFW) 8-7 (5)
No. 2 - Felix Goepper/Michael Tenzer (GB) def. Daniel Kang/Junya Saruta (IPFW) 8-0
No. 3 - Michael Tebon/Henning Jess (GB) def. Andres Cobos/Joao Freitas (IPFW) 8-3

Singles:
No. 1 - Michael Tenzer (GB) def. Roberto Cabrini (IPFW) 6-1, 6-4
No. 2 - Erik Finkenbrink (GB) def. Andres Cobos (IPFW) 6-1, 6-2
No. 3 - Felix Goepper (GB) def. Conor Andrews (IPFW) 6-2, 6-2
No. 4 - Paul Swanson (GB) def. Joao Freitas (IPFW) 6-0, 6-4
No. 5 - Craig Cox (GB) def. Daniel Kang (IPFW) 6-0, 6-2
No. 6 - Michael Tebon (GB) def. Junya Saruta (IPFW) 6-4, 6-3

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