ROCHESTER, N.Y.- The Hobart College tennis team defeated Rochester Institute of Technology 7-2 in an important Liberty League match on the RIT Tennis Courts this afternoon. The Statesmen improve to 3-2 in conference play and 8-7 overall to move into a tie for fourth place in the Liberty League standings with Vassar.
 
The Statesmen jumped out in front taking two of the three doubles matches from the Tigers. First-year Patrick Gray and sophomore Harry Nichols notched an 8-4 victory at No. 3, defeating Jason Alexander and Jared Raphael. Gray and Nichols have only lost once since returning from Florida and are 9-6 as a team this season. At the top of the lineup, first-years Jonathan Atwater and Jonah Salita collected their third straight win as they knocked off Chandler Daub and Ben Lynaugh 9-7. Atwater and Salita are a team-best 11-8 in doubles play.
 
Hobart put the match away taking five of the six singles points. Gray made quick work of his opponent in the No. 5 spot. He defeated the Tigers' Ian Dansereau 6-2, 6-0. Junior Michael Rusk collected the fourth point for the Statesmen with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 3. Classmate Danny Kot clinched the overall victory Hobart when he beat Alexander 6-2, 6-4 at No. 6. Nichols improved to 11-7 in singles play this season with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 4. Atwater collected his team-high 13 singles win of the season. In the No. 2 spot, Atwater and Jared Ingoglia split the first two sets, 6-2, 1-6. In the super breaker, Atwater rallied to win 11-9 after fighting off match point.
 
The Statesmen will have 10 days off before their next match. Hobart will be back in action on April 30 when it travels to take on the Brewers in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  The next day, the Statesmen will be in Troy to close out their regular season against Rensselaer.