The Hobart College tennis team edged Union 5-4 in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament this morning at the HWS Tennis Center, before falling to 20th-ranked Skidmore 8-1 in the semifinal round later in the day. T.

Against the Dutchmen, most of the matches were very close. First-years Walter Green (Ridgewood/Ridgewood, N.J.) and Kevin Bates (Groton-Dunstable/Groton, Mass.) teamed up for the Statesmen's first win of the tournament at second doubles, 8-6 over Jay Shah and Sam Ringel. Green went on to earn a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Shah at No. 6 singles later in the match.

First-year Kevin Kent (Trinity-Pawling/New York, N.Y.) defeated Alex Katz 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 at No. 1 singles, while sophomore Harry King (Concord & Carlisle/Concord, Mass.) topped Vic Ravikumar 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 at second singles in another tight match, and senior Adam Cohn (Hawken School/Highland Heights, Ohio) prevailed 7-5, 6-3 vs. Matt Goodnow at fourth singles.

King played another impressive match at second singles vs. the Thoroughbreds. He defeated Yahia Imam 7-6 (3) in the first set, dropped the second set 3-6, and battled back to win the tie breaker 13-11.

The Statesmen (5-15) will play for third place tomorrow, April 19, when they square off against St. Lawrence (11-4) at 9 a.m. 

For full results, visit the Liberty League Men's Tennis Tournament Web site.