GRINNELL – Cornell finished a challenging opening weekend to the Midwest Conference men's tennis campaign with a 9-0 loss to perennial power Grinnell Sunday afternoon.
 
Alexander Hadler-Strumlauf competed well at the top spot in Cornell's lineup, dropping a 7-5, 6-3 singles match to Grinnell's No. 1 player Bowen Mince.
 
The 17-time defending MWC champion Pioneers (7-9 overall, 2-0 MWC) lost only three games in the remaining five singles bouts.
 
Hadler-Strumlauf and Justin Mendez put up a fight at No. 1 doubles, falling 8-5. Grinnell won 8-0 at No. 2 doubles and 8-1 at No. 3.
 
Cornell (6-11 overall, 0-2 MWC) is on the road Saturday for duals against Lawrence at 9:30 a.m. and Ripon at 2:30 p.m.