CLEVELAND, OH - The Hobart tennis team faced a challenging day of competition at The Ohio Invitational, taking on No. 5 Case Western Reserve and No. 4 Denison this afternoon. The Statesmen fell twice as it dropped a 7-0 decision to the Spartans and 6-1 decision to the Big Red. Hobart drops to 4-6 on the season with the losses.

Against Case Western, seniors Rahul Vallabhajosula and Hyat Oyer put up a strong fight at No. 2 doubles, pushing Rohan Bhat and Anmay Devaraj before falling 7-5. Case Western secured the doubles point and swept the singles matches to secure the victory.

In singles play, Oyer delivered another impressive performance at No. 1, battling Ajay Mahenthiran in a tight contest but ultimately falling 6-3, 7-5.

In the afternoon match against Denison, the Statesmen put forth a stronger effort but fell to the fourth-ranked Big Red.

In doubles play, first-years Kristen Weigt and Marco Olmos battled hard at No. 3 against Kyle Patrick and Colin Gramley, but ultimately fell 6-4, securing Denison the doubles point. 

In singles action, Olmos earned the lone point for Hobart in the No. 6 spot, winning a thrilling first-set tiebreaker and clinching the match 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.

Two other Statesmen pushed their matches to the brink in hard-fought tiebreakers. At No. 1, Oyer had another strong showing against Kael Shalin Shah, but fell in two tight tie break sets, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6). At No. 3, senior Nick Grosso battled Nicholas Meyers to a third-set tiebreaker before falling 6-2, 4-6, 11-9.

UP NEXT:

Hobart will be back in action tomorrow morning to take on No. 17 Kenyon College at LaTuchie Tennis Center. First serve between the Statesmen and the Owls is set for 8 a.m.