WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Grace's men's tennis team opened up the 2015 campaign with an impressive 8-1 win over Taylor on Thursday.

The Lancers won all six singles' positions, handily defeating the Trojans in the Crossroads League opener.

Grace took two of the three doubles' matches to gain an early advantage. Danila Kurkulin and Ethan Grove won 8-2 at No. 1 singles while Ricardo Bedon and Caleb Yoder won 8-1 at No. 3 doubles.

Kurkulin opened his collegiate career as Grace's No. 1 singles' player with a 6-2, 6-2 win. Pajic also won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2 singles.

Grove (6-4, 6-1) and Bedon (6-2, 6-1) won handily at No. 3 and No. 4 singles respectively, and Gabe Vervynckt claimed a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 5. Freshman Adam Yoder won in his first match 6-1, 6-0 while playing at No. 6 singles.

"It was a solid start to the season getting a win. Danila [Kurkulin] played a solid doubles' match and singles as well. Uros [Pajic] got a gritty win at singles while Ethan [Grove], Ricardo [Bedon], Gabe [Vervynckt] and Adam [Yoder] rolled through their opponents without any problems," said Grace head coach Larry Schuh. "I would be remiss to not congratulate Adam Yoder on his first collegiate tennis win at six singles as well as Caleb Yoder at three doubles. Both rose to the occasion and performed extremely well."

The Lancers' next match is Tuesday at Miller Athletic Complex against St. Francis at 2 p.m.

DOUBLES

1. Danila Kurkulin/Ethan Grove won 8-2
2. Uros Pajic/Gabe Vervynckt lost 7-9
3. Ricardo Bedon/Caleb Yoder won 8-1

SINGLES

1. Danila Kurkulin won 6-2, 6-2
2. Uros Pajic won 6-3, 6-4
3. Ethan Grove won 6-4, 6-1
4. Ricardo Bedon won 6-2, 6-1
5. Gabe Vervynckt won 6-1, 6-3
6. Adam Yoder won 6-1, 6-0