WHITTIER, CA (March 15, 2017) – The Vassar College men's tennis team continued its spring trip through the Golden State Wednesday afternoon, taking on the Poets of Whittier College from the Ettinger Tennis Courts in non-conference action. The Brewers would attempt a comeback in singles, but wouldn't be able to make up the 3-0 deficit after doubles in falling 6-3 for the match.

The Brewers dropped No. 1 and No. 3 doubles early with score lines of 8-3, but freshman Allen Sokolov and Jeremy Auh battled tough at No. 2 doubles to salvage at least one point going into singles for the Brewers. Auh and Sokolov trailed 7-3, but won the next four games to tie the match at 7-all. In the end though, Hunter Kettering and Elmer Van Butselaar would go on to win the next two games to win 9-7.

In singles play, the Brewers looked to make yet another comeback, as senior Nick Litsky cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 1 to earn his team-leading 10^th victory of the season. Sokolov also made quick work of his opponent at No. 2 singles, defeating Thomas Koszowski 6-4, 6-2 to pull Vassar to within two at 3-2. The Poets would stand strong, though fending off the Brewers with three wins in singles to earn the victory.

Sophomore Jamie Anderson played a spirited match at No. 4, responding well in the second set with a 6-2 win after dropping the first set 6-4. In the deciding frame, Anderson would drop a break and couldn't rally as Kettering picked up the 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win.

Senior Alexander Luckmann continued to shine at No. 6 singles for the Brewers, as he went to a third set for the third time in his last five matches. Luckmann won the opening set over Zachary Ambrosio 6-1, but the Poet No. 6 player responded with a 6-3 victory in the second. Luckman trailed 2-0 and 4-2 in the third set but broke Ambrosio to get back on serve, and dominated the tiebreak 7-0 to clinch his third win of the year. "It was tough going down all three doubles today against Whittier," said head coach Alex Wong. "We showed good fight in the singles bu unfortunately today it was too much to overcome. We will look to rebound on Friday with our doubleheader against Wooster and Chapman." 

Vassar is off tomorrow but will play twice Friday, taking on The College of Wooster at 11 a.m. PDT before taking on Chapman University at 7 p.m. local time from Orange, CA.

Whittier College 6, Vassar College 3

Mar 15, 2017 at Whittier, CA (Ettinger Tennis Courts)

Singles competition
1. Nick Litsky (VCMT) def. Andrew You (WHITTIER) 6-3, 6-2
2. Allen Sokolov (VCMT) def. Thomas Koszowski (WHITTIER) 6-4, 6-2
3. Elmer Van Butselaar (WHITTIER) def. Juan Felipe Laso (VCMT) 6-4, 6-1
4. Hunter Kettering (WHITTIER) def. Jamie Anderson (VCMT) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
5. Chris Palacio (WHITTIER) def. Jeremy Auh (VCMT) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
6. Alexander Luckmann (VCMT) def. Zachary Ambrosio (WHITTIER) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-0)
 
Doubles competition
1. Andrew You/Thomas Koszowski (WHITTIER) def. Alexander Luckmann/Juan Felipe Laso (VCMT) 8-3
2. Hunter Kettering/Elmer Van Butselaar (WHITTIER) def. Allen Sokolov/Jeremy Auh (VCMT) 8-7
3. Troy Chavez/Chris Palacio (WHITTIER) def. Nick Litsky/Jamie Anderson (VCMT) 8-3
 
Match Notes
Vassar College 6-5
Whittier College 5-6; Regional ranking #10
T-3:25 A-35