SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- The Hobart College tennis team was defeated by Amherst 8-1 at Skidmore College this afternoon. It was the Statesmen's first dual match of the season.
 
The Mammoths (2-0) took a 3-0 lead in the match, sweeping doubles play. Amherst posted an 8-2 win in the No. 2 spot to open the match. First-year Jack Ledford and junior Colin Molloy fought hard but were defeated 8-5 in the No. 3 spot. Junior Alan Dubrovsky and sophomore Walker Anderson battled with Zach Bessette and Sean Wei at No. 1 doubles but were edged 8-6.
 
Amherst clinched the overall victory with wins in the fourth and fifth singles positions. Senior David Reinharz forced three sets at No. 5 but was tripped up by Jesse Levitin 1-6, 6-0, 10-3. Anderson also forced a third set against Damien Ruparel at No. 3 but was edged 6-3, 6-7, 7-5. First-year Jack Ledford collected Hobart's point in the match He rallied to defeat Oliver Kendall 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3), 13-11 in the sixth spot. Ledford is now 3-2 in his rookie season.
 
Hobart will be back in action next weekend, Sept. 28-30, when it hosts the ITA Northeast Reginoal Championships at the HWS Tennis Center.