MIDDLEBURY, CT (May 3, 2008) -- Vassar's men's tennis team, making its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Tennis Championships, found no. 12 ranked Trinity (CT) College a formidable opponent, and despite battling heartily, the Brewers fell 5-1 in first round action played at Middlebury College.

Trinity was able to take early control of the match by winning two of three doubles matches. However, the Brewers were up to the task early, getting a point from the team of Mike Mattelson and Ashish Patil. Not all of the matches were played to completition once Trinity reached five team points.

Trinity's Brett Ramsay defeated Vassar's Max Willner 6-4, 6-1 at the No. 2 singles spot that enabled the Bantams to hold a 3-1 lead. Trinity's Tom Dolan followed with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ashish Patil at No. 4 singles increase the lead to 4-1. Spencer Feldman sealed the match for Trinity with a tight and hard-fought 6-2, 7-6 (5) victory at No. 1 singles over Vassar's Mattelson.

"I am really proud of the team," said Vassar head coach Ki Kroll. "Our guys came to play and represented Vassar well. My full respect goes to Trinity. They are the No. 12 team in the nation and were very solid. I think all our players learned a lot from this experience of competing in our first NCAA Tournament."

Trinity 5, Vassar 1

Doubles
1. Gautam Samarth/David Yahng (TC) def. Max Willner/Greg Katz (VC), 8-3
2. Mike Mattelson/Ashish Patil (VC) def. Tom Dolan/Brett Ramsey (TC), 8-5
3. Spencer Feldman/David Patrick (TC), def. Jeremy Rosen/Josh Jasso (VC), 8-6

Singles
1. Spencer Feldman (TC) def. Mike Mattelson (VC), 6-2, 7-6(5)
2. Brett Ramsey (TC) def. Max Willner (VC) 6-4, 6-1
3. Greg Katz (VC) vs. David Yahng (TC), 6-2, 3-6, 4-5 DNF
4. Tom Dolan (TC) def. Ashish Patil (VC), 6-4, 6-2
5. Gautam Samarth (TC) vs. Jeremy Rosen (VC), 1-3 DNF
6. David Patrick (TC) vs. Josh Jasso (VC), 0-1 DNF