ORLANDO, Fla.— Junior Sean Pesin of the Hobart College tennis team fell in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Championship to sixth-seeded Rishabh Sharda of Tufts University. Sharda took the match 6-2, 6-4, to advance to the round of 16 against Nolan Shah of Emory University.

Pesin and Sharda shared the early points in the first set, tying the set at two a piece before Sharda grabbed the momentum to close the first set out at 6-2. Sharda rode the momentum into the second set, taking an early 4-2 lead. Pesin fought back to tie the set at 4-4, but the comeback fell just short as Sharda closed out the match, 6-4.

"Sean fought hard today but his opponent played really well," said Head Coach Tim Riskie. "This was a well-run event and a great experience for both of us. We learned a great deal and will be back."

The junior from Tel-Aviv, Israel, concluded his season at 17-8 overall with an 11-6 record in dual matches and a 6-2 record in tournament play. Pesin finished with six wins over regionally ranked opponents. He led the Statesmen in both singles and doubles play this season, helping Hobart to a 16-5 record, just one win shy of the program record.

Pesin was the first Statesman to represent Hobart on the national stage since Adam Shapiro '96 did in his senior season. Pesin garnered All-Liberty League first team honors in both singles and doubles this year after being named to the All-Liberty League doubles first team and singles second team in 2022.