GENEVA, N.Y. – The Hobart tennis team battled Liberty League foe, Ithaca, this afternoon in Bristol Field House, ultimately falling 4-3 to the Bombers despite a strong comeback in single play. With the loss, the Statesmen fall to 6-3 on the season with a 0-2 mark in conference play, while the Bombers improve to 6-3 overall and 1-0 in the Liberty League.

The battle began in doubles play as three thrilling doubles matches ended in favor of Ithaca as they won two of three against the Statesmen to secure the doubles point. First-year Tejus Ranadive and senior Jose Martinez Barelles secured Hobart's lone win in the No. 3 spot as they defeated Siddharth Desai and Siddharth Vaada, 7-5. With the win, Ranadive and Martinez Barelles improved to 5-3 on the season.

After dropping the No. 2 matchup, the doubles point came down to the No. 1 spot as seniors Nick Fischer and Aidan Staunton took on Samuel Lopez-Cardenas and Gijs Fidler. The thrilling matchup went to a seven-point tiebreaker set to earn the doubles point. After trailing 4-0, Fischer and Staunton fought their way back, but their comeback fell just short as they dropped the tiebreaker set 7-4, giving the Bombers a 7-6 win and the doubles point.

Hobart fought back in singles play, defeating Ithaca in three of six matches but ultimately falling 4-3 to the Bombers. In the No. 1 spot, Fischer bounced back with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Ivan Kisic. With the win, Fischer improved to 5-2 in the No. 1 spot this season. The Statesmen secured a crucial singles point in the No. 3 spot as Kousaridis rallied to defeat Vaada 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 to earn his third singles win of the season.

In the No. 6 spot, Ranadive edged Lopez-Cardenas 7-6, 6-4 to earn another crucial point for Hobart. With the win, Ranadive moves to 6-1 in his rookie season.

The match came down to the No. 4 singles position as first-year Michael Georgelis battled Luis Crespo. Georgelis took the first set, but Crespo rallied to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to secure the crucial conference win for Ithaca. 

UP NEXT:
 
Hobart will be back in action on Saturday, March 28, when it welcomes Bard for a Liberty League matchup. Action between the Statesmen and the Raptors is set for 10 a.m. in Bristol Field House.