GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart College tennis team defeated Division I Niagara 4-3 in a non-conference match played inside Bristol Field House today. With the win, Statesmen are now 1-1 on the season while the Purple Eagles fall to 6-3 overall.
 
Hobart opened the match by securing the doubles point, winning two of the three matches. Jacob Linares and Sean Pesin defeated Niagara's Manuel Alonso and Gurustat Makkar, 6-3, in the No. 2 spot. Harry Lyu and Thomas Shung also posted a 6-3 win at No. 3. They defeated Jorge Sedeno and Eduardo Villalpando. Jett Wright and Troy Steiner were edged 7-5 in the No. 1 spot.
 
The teams split the singles matches with Hobart claiming wins at Nos. 1, 5 and 6 and Niagara winning at Nos. 2, 3 and 4. Winter Fagerberg improved to 3-3 on the season with his come-from-behind victory in the top spot. He beat Tanner Bedard, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Pesin defeated Roberto Vaca, 6-0, 6-3, in straight sets. It was Pesin's first collegiate victory. Steiner clinched the overall victory for the Statesmen, topping Salvador Vasquez, 6-2, 7-5, in the No. 6 spot. Steiner is 2-2 this season.
 
The Purple Eagles needed three sets to win two of their three singles points. Makkar edged Jacob Linares, 4-6, 7-6, 6-1. Eduardo Villalpando slipped past Shung 6-0, 4-6, 7-6.
 
Hobart will be back in action next Saturday, March 5, when it welcomes Division II Le Moyne and Allegheny to Bristol Field House. The match against the Dolphins is set to begin at 9 a.m., and the match with the Gators is set to begin at 3 p.m.