PASADENA, CA (March 18, 2017) – The Vassar College men's tennis team finished its California road swing on Saturday afternoon, as the team dropped a close 5-4 decision to Caltech in action from the Caltech Tennis Courts in non-conference play.

In doubles play, Vassar College's lone win came from Nick Litsky and Nick Zeczek at No. 3 doubles, as the pair knocked off Miha Valencic and Connor Soohoo 8-2. VC nearly picked up another win at doubles, but Allen Sokolov and Jeremy Auh were edged by Derik Nguyen and Zixao Li 9-7 at No. 2 doubles. Juan Felipe Laso and Dom Demterfi were defeated at No. 1 doubles 8-4.

In singles play, four matches went the distance in what was an even match all the way throughout. Caltech took a 3-1 lead thanks to Tine Valencic earning a 6-4, 6-1 win over senior Alexander Luckmann. Soohoo gave the Beavers a 4-1 lead after knocking off Auh 6-1, 7-5 to pull to within one win of the match victory.

Vassar fended off the Beavers thanks to a No. 3 win by Laso, as he dropped the first set but rallied for a 4-6, 6-0, 6-0 win. Laso adjusted well in the No. 3 singles match, winning the final 12 games played during the match. The clinching win for the Beavers though would come next, as Kiha Valencic topped Jamie Anderson 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 to push Caltech to 3-3 on the season.

The final two matches would go to Vassar, as Litsky was a double winner Saturday with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 victor at No. 1 singles. Freshman Allen Sokolov continued his strong play of late in singles action, as he posted a 5-7, 7-5, 6-0 win as well at No. 2

Vassar will have some time off before hosting New York University (April 1, 1 p.m.) and Coast Guard Academy (April 2, 1 p.m.) in Poughkeepsie either in Walker Field House or on Josselyn Tennis Courts.

Caltech 5, Vassar College 4
Mar 18, 2017 at Pasadena, Calif. (Caltech Tennis Courts)

Singles competition
1. Nick Litsky (VCMT) def. Ruthwick Pathireddy (CITM) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
2. Allen Sokolov (VCMT) def. Derik Nguyen (CITM) 5-7, 7-5, 6-0
3. Juan Felipe Laso (VCMT) def. Zixao Li (CITM) 4-6, 6-0, 6-0
4. Miha Valencic (CITM) def. Jamie Anderson (VCMT) 6-4, 5-7, 6-1
5. Connor Soohoo (CITM) def. Jeremy Auh (VCMT) 6-1, 7-5
6. Tine Valencic (CITM) def. Alexander Luckmann (VCMT) 6-4, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Ruthwick Pathireddy/Sathwick Pathireddy (CITM) def. Juan Felipe Laso/Dom Demeterfi (VCMT) 8-4
2. Derik Nguyen/Zixao Li (CITM) def. Allen Sokolov/Jeremy Auh (VCMT) 9-7
3. Nick Litsky/Nick Zuczek (VCMT) def. Miha Valencic/Connor Soohoo (CITM) 8-2
 
Match Notes
Vassar College 8-6
Caltech 3-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,5,3,4,1,2)
T-4:24 A-24