The Hobart tennis team moved up five spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rankings after an impressive start to its spring season. The No. 29 ranked Statesmen are set to take on Ithaca in a conference matchup on Friday, March 29. First serve between the Statesmen and the Bombers is set for 1 p.m. in Bristol Field House.
 
Hobart is 6-3 this season and is riding a six-match win streak. The Statesmen went a perfect 5-0 in Orlando, Florida, last week and added a 5-4 win over then No. 35 Vassar on Saturday to open conference play. After several strong performances last week, senior Sean Pesin was named the Liberty League Singles Performer of the Week, while first-year Achilleas Kousaridis was recognized as the conference's rookie of the week.
 
Ithaca brings a 3-7 record to Geneva and is 0-2 in the Liberty League. The Bombers are looking to rebound from an 8-1 loss to No. 20 RPI on Sunday.
 
ABOUT THE STATESMEN

• Kousaridis leads Hobart in singles play with a 7-1 record from the No. 3 spot.
• Juniors Hyat Oyer and Nick Grosso are both 6-3 in dual matches this season. Oyer is 4-0 at the No. 4 spot and is riding a five-match win streak while Grosso has won three straight.
• Senior Winter Fagerberg is 5-0 at the No. 5 spot and is riding a five-match win streak.
• Pesin and sophomore Nick Fischer have both won four straight singles matches for Hobart. Pesin is 4-4 in the No. 1 spot, while Fischer is 5-3 mainly at the No. 2 spot.
• Pesin and Fischer are 5-4 at the No. 1 doubles position with one win over a nationally ranked opponent.
• Fagerberg and junior Rahul Vallabhajosula are 3-1 in the No. 3 doubles spot.

ABOUT THE BOMBERS

• Ithaca is led by Gijs Fidler in singles play with a 5-4 record in dual matches. He is 5-3 in the No. 2 spot.
• Nicolas Luis is 4-4 in dual matches this season at the No. 1 spot.
• The Bombers are highlighted by the doubles duo of Eric Dubilirer and Siddharth Vaada, who are 6-0 in the No. 2 doubles position.
• Fidler and Emiliano Pedrero are 5-5 in the No. 1 spot.

SERIES HISTORY

• This will be the 25th meeting between the Statesmen and the Bombers. Hobart leads the series 22-12, including a 12-6 advantage in Geneva.
• The Statesmen have won the last 13 matchups against the Bombers.
• Last time they met, Hobart defeated Ithaca 6-3 in Ithaca. Grosso clinched the match for the Statesmen, defeating Ean Lantzy 6-1, 6-0, at the No. 6 spot.