The rain-soaked courts forced a cancellation of the Grand Valley State University Invitational this weekend. Play was stopped around noon, leaving the tournament undecided.

“It’s disappointing whenever you can’t finish out a tournament,” said sophomore Francis Bertrand. “Everyone was off to such a great start on Saturday, it’s too bad we couldn’t finish it out.”

Despite being rained out on day two of the invitational, the Lakers had a strong overall performance in both singles and doubles play.

“It was good to go up against competition from around the area,” Bertrand said. “Everyone seemed to be in a groove that first day as well, which is always a good sign for us.”

The invitational consisted of a mixture of teams from around the area including Cornerstone University, Alma College, Davenport University and Calvin College.

“We had success this weekend in both our doubles and our singles in almost every flight,” Bertrand said. “Unfortunately the bad weather didn’t let us finish things out.”

Deep into the fall season, the Lakers have just one competition left before winter break, which poses as a great opportunity to get some late season kinks out.

“We are really focusing on the smaller things now,” said junior Andrew Darrell. “This is a great time to focus on things that may have been tampering us lately.”

As the Lakers have been facing a plethora of Division I talent lately, they were able to take a step back to go up against some of the best talent in West Michigan.

“We’re going to use these matches as a time where we can improve not only our doubles but also our chemistry as well,” Darrell said. “This time of the year it’s really just about improving our game in all areas.”

A transfer, Bertrand has continued to shine as a key piece of the Lakers tennis program, picking up things right where he left them.

“I feel like I’ve really settled in,” Bertrand said. “My confidence is there as well, it’s really just all coming together for me now.”

As the team goes further into the season, the Lakers tennis program will continue to look to improve, with the goal of the national tournament and also GLIAC title in sight.

“Our two main goals down the road are obviously winning the GLIAC, and making not just an appearance but a run in the National tournament,” Darrell said. “I definitely believe that we have the talent to do it.”

You can see the Lakers finish up the fall season when they head to Detroit October 13 for the University of Detroit Invitational.

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