KISSIMMEE, Fla. - In a battle of regionally ranked teams from Iowa, the Grinnell men's tennis team prevailed over Luther, 8-1, but were downed, 7-2, by Connecticut College today in Kissimmee, Fla.
 
The match started with singles play and Cole Miller led off the scoring with at No. 2, 6-4, 6-4.  With a 7-5, 6-2, score at No. 5, Sam Stickels was second off the court.  Tracy Johnson rolled, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 4 while Jose Coloma notched a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.  Tommy Pitcher sealed the team win, 7-6, 7-6, before CJ Ray retired with an injury at No. 3 singles, 2-6, 6-4, 6-5 (retired).
 
The Pioneers swept doubles with the combos of Coloma/Pitcher, 9-7; Miller/Sam Catanzaro, 9-7; and Johnson/Stickels, 8-1.

In the afternoon match, Connecticut College used strong singles play to down Grinnell, 7-2. 
 
The lone win in singles came from Beau Bressler at No. 5, 6-2, 6-4.  The Pioneers fell at No. 1 with Bryson Cale, 6-1, 6-1; at No. 2 with Catanzaro, 6-1, 6-1; at No. 3 with Zach Lane, 7-5, 4-6 {13-11}; at No. 4 with Caleb Kumar, 6-2, 6-2; and at No. 6 with Will Hamilton, 7-5, 7-6.
 
In doubles Coloma and Pitcher were downed, 8-5, while Hamilton and Catanzaro fell, 8-6.  Johnson and Stickels notched a point, 9-7, to round out the scoring.
 
On Tuesday the Pioneers face Hope in the morning and College of Wooster in the afternoon.