ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The Macalester College men's tennis team saw its 2016 season come to an end with a 6-3 loss to Saint John's University in the quarterfinals of the MIAC playoffs Wednesday afternoon at the CSB Tennis Courts. The fifth-seeded Scots complete the season with a 10-9 record, while the fourth-seeded Johnnies improve to 10-8 and advance to face Gustavus in the semifinals.

Macalester lost all three doubles matches, including two by the score of 9-7, to fall behind 3-0. Sophomores Josh Doyle (Cologne, Germany/Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium) and Aidan Tirpack (Mill Valley, Calif./Tamalpais), and senior Wilson Merrell (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) won their matches at first, third and fourth singles, with Tirpack winning in three sets. But Saint John's won the other three matches in straight sets to wrap up the victory.

The defeat also marked the end of the collegiate careers of seniors Merrell and Brian Utz (Rochester, Minn./Lourdes). The Scots were making their second straight appearance in the MIAC playoffs.

Macalester College vs Saint John's University
May 04, 2016 at St. Joseph, Minn.

Saint John's University 6, Macalester College 3

Singles competition
1. Joshua Doyle (MAC) def. Jack Hansen (SJU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Tim Larson (SJU) def. Brian Utz (MAC) 6-3, 6-4
3. Aidan Tirpack (MAC) def. Andrew Nagel (SJU) 2-6, 6-0, 6-4
4. Wilson Merrell (MAC) def. Ben Lahren (SJU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Ryan Meger (SJU) def. Matthew Yang (MAC) 6-3, 6-4
6. Jonah Punnoose (SJU) def. Peter Willenborg (MAC) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Jack Hansen/Tim Larson (SJU) def. Joshua Doyle/Brian Utz (MAC) 9-7
2. Ben Lahren/Andrew Nagel (SJU) def. Hardt Bergmann/Aidan Tirpack (MAC) 8-2
3. Ryan Meger/Jonah Punnoose (SJU) def. Wilson Merrell/Matthew Yang (MAC) 9-7

Match Notes:
Macalester College 10-9, 5-4 MIAC
Saint John's University 10-8, 5-4 MIAC
MIAC Playoff Quarterfinal