LEWISTON, ME (October 11, 2009) – The Vassar College men's tennis team took the Wallach Invitational by storm this weekend with senior Michael Mattelson and junior Max Willner winning the top two singles flights and the team of Mattleson and junior Greg Katz capturing the top doubles competition. Mattelson defeated Nick White of Brandeis in the A flight finals and Willner defeated Ryan Mannnelly of Bates in the B flight finals. The doubles tandem knocked off the Bates combo of Amrit Rupasinghe and Matt Bettles.

After Willner had won the B Flight singles title, Mattleson followed at the A Flight. He and Katz concluded the Wallach Invitational with an 8-5 championship victory.

In the B flight semi-finals, Willner persevered after dropping the first set 3-6, and showcased his trademark, uncanny shot selection in his 7-5, 10-7 super tie-breaker win over Freddy Rozenshteyn of Brandeis.

Mattelson dictated play with vicious forehands in his 6-3, 7-62 victory over Bates' Max Bettles in the A flight semi-finals.

Unlike the semi-finals, Willner found his rhythm early and rolled over Ryan Mannnelly of Bates 6-2, 6-1 to win B flight finals.

“I attacked early and I had the momentum the entire match,” said Willner, who showed no signs of fatigue after a tough semi-final match. “Fitness was key. I had more energy than my opponent.”

In the A flight finals, Mattelson needed no change of strategy to down Nick White of Brandeis 7-5, 6-2.

“I kept focused and I hit my forehand.” Mattelson asked jokingly. “Isn't that always the key for me?”

The Vassar men's tennis ends the fall season on a high note as Mattelson prepares for ITA National Small College Championships in Mobile, Alabama on October 15-18 and his teammates look forward to the Spring season.

“These wins are great for the team,” stated Willner. “It establishes Vassar's rep for the Spring.”

A Flight Singles:

Semi-finals:
Mike Mattelson (VC) def. Matt Bettles (Bates) 6-3, 7-62

Finals:
Mike Mattelson (VC) def. Nick White (Brandeis) 7-5, 6-2

B Flight Singles:

Semi- finals:
Max Willner (VC) def. Freddy Rozenshteyn (Brandeis) 3-6, 7-5, 10-7

Finals:
Max Willner (VC) def. Ryan Mannelly (Bates) 6-2, 6-1 

A Flight Doubles: 

Semi-finals:
Mike Mattelson/ Greg Katz def. Luke Granger/ Spencer Cheng (Skidmore) 8-6
Amrit Rupasinghe/ Matt Bettles (Bates) def. Max Willner/ Andrew Guzick (VC) 8-6

Finals:
Mike Mattelson/ Greg Katz (VC) def. Amrit Rupasinghe/ Matt Bettles (Bates) 8-5