Grinnell 5, Lawrence 0
Grinnell 5, Lake Forest 3

MADISON, Wis. – The Grinnell College men's tennis program and Midwest Conference championships have become synonymous.
 
The Pioneers continued their lengthy title string Friday, defeating Lake Forest College 5-3 in a thrilling 3-1/2 hour marathon for their 14th league crown in a row and 15th in the last 16 seasons. The title also gives Grinnell the MWC's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
 
Additionally, Grinnell stretched its winning streak against league opponents to 135 matches, dating back to 2012.
 
Grinnell, 18-9 overall, got off to a great start against Lake Forest by sweeping doubles play with the teams of Cole Miller '17-Tommy Pitcher '17 at No. 1 (9-7), Sam Stickels '19-Raghu Inturi '20 at No. 2 (8-3) and Will Hamilton '17-Ben Cobin '20 at No. 3 (8-6).
 
Miller has now won 83 doubles matches in his career, which ranks sixth in program history, and Pitcher has 77, which is ninth-best.
 
Cobin put Grinnell up 4-1 with a 6-0, 7-5 win at No. 6 singles, but the Foresters raced back with three singles wins to tie it. Miller finished off the victory, posting a come-from-behind 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 1 singles.
 
The victory is Miller's 70th singles win of his career, which is eighth in program history.
 
Earlier in the day, Grinnell blanked Lawrence University 5-0 in the semifinals. Grinnell swept doubles with the teams of Miller-Pitcher (8-5), Stickels-Inturi (8-1) and Hamilton-Cobin (8-20.
 
The Pioneers wrapped up the win with wins by Stickels at No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-2) and Cobin at No. 6 (6-1, 6-0).

"I am so proud of this team for how they rallied to win a tough battle tonight," said Grinnell coach Paige Madara. "After three close doubles wins, we found ourselves down quick in singles losing five first sets. Zach Lane and Cole Miller started the comeback with strong second sets wins and then Cole clinched the match with an incredible performance in his third set. This group has picked each other up all season long and supported each other. It was a true team victory tonight."
 
The tournament continues with singles and doubles play this weekend.