ITHACA, N.Y.-The Hobart College tennis team was defeated by Skidmore 5-0 in the Liberty League tournament final at Cornell University's Reis Tennis Center this morning. The Statesmen complete the 2016-17 season with a 15-5 overall record, a six-win improvement over last year.
 
The Thoroughbreds, who were ranked 25th nationally, improve to 11-6 overall and earned their fourth straight conference title.
 
Skidmore took an early lead in the match, sweeping doubles play. The Thoroughbreds won 8-3 at No. 1. In the second spot, seniors Michael Rusk and Danny Kot kept the match close but were edged 8-5. They finished their senior season with a 7-6 overall record and compiled a 27-27 record as a duo in their career. Junior Harry Nichols and sophomore Jonathan Atwater also lost 8-5 in the third spot. Nichols and Atwater were a team-best 13-6 in doubles play this year.
 
Skidmore closed out the match with wins at No. 2 and six singles. Rusk was up a set but trailing 5-2 in the second set when the match was called because the Thoroughbreds had clinched the overall victory. Sophomore Jonah Salita won his first set and was up 4-2 in the second when the match was clinched.
 
Hobart's four seniors, Jake Criss, Patrick Dunk, Danny Kot, and Michael Rusk, finished their careers with a 47-33 overall record in their four years on campus.