BABSON PARK, MA (April 8, 2017) – Freshman Allen Sokolov won a third-set tiebreak 7-3 and the Vassar College men's tennis team knocked off No. 20 regionally-ranked Babson College 5-4 in a thriller from Farwell Courts today in non-conference action.
 
"Very happy to pull off this win over Babson," said head coach Alex Wong. "We came out a little flat in the doubles and knew that we needed to pick up the energy in singles. We knew it was going to be a very close match and I was proud that all the guys fought hard in very cold and windy conditions."
 
The Brewers fell behind early in the match, as Alberto De Mendiola and Brandon Rosenbluth gave the Beavers (5-7) a quick 1-0 lead with an 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles over freshman Jeremy Auh and senior Alexander Luckmann. VC battled back to even the match at one, as Sokolov and senior Juan Felipe Laso knocked off Ben Roque and Ho Wang Alastair Ng 8-4.
 
The finals doubles match of the day went to Dan Levitan and Dylan Levy of Babson, as the Beavers moved into singles play with the advantage after an 8-2 win over Nick Litsky and Nick Zuczek of the Brewers.
 
In singles, Laso made quick work of Levy at No. 3 singles to earn the 6-0, 6-4 win to pull the match even at two. During that time, Vassar held a set edge in all but one position, setting up the comeback. Babson pulled ahead again at No. 5, as Roque defeated Auh 6-1, 6-4 to make the score 3-2 for the hosts.
 
The Brewers wouldn't quit though, as Luckmann earned a hard-fought 6-3, 6-2 win at No. 6 singles to pull Vassar even again. Sophomore Jamie Anderson would shake off a tough three-set loss Friday evening to push the Brewers back on top with a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 4 singles, defeating Levitan from Babson.
 
At No. 1 singles, De Mendiola earned a 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Litsky to make the match count, 4-4 with Sokolov and Rosenbluth on the court at No. 2 singles. Sokolov had a chance to win the match at 5-4 with the serve, but Rosenbluth broke and pushed things back on serve. After the two traded games, the players would head to a tiebreaker to decide both the team and individual match.
 
In the breaker, Sokolov won the first two points, and then posted a mini-break to make the score 4-1. The two players exchanged points over the final four serves, as Sokolov hammered a forehand winner down the right sideline to give Vassar the win. The victory was Sokolov's 10^th of the season.
 
"We will have to have a good week of practice as we have our conference rival RPI next weekend," said Wong. "They are a very strong team and we look forward to playing them next week."
 
Vassar will have six days off before returning home to take on the Engineers of RPI on Josselyn Tennis Courts at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15.
 
Vassar College 5, Babson College 4
Apr 08, 2017 at Babson Park, MA (Farwell Courts)
Singles competition
1. Alberto De Mendiola (BAB) def. Nick Litsky (VCMT) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
2. Allen Sokolov (VCMT) def. Brandon Rosenbluth (BAB) 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3)
3. Juan Felipe Laso (VCMT) def. Dylan Levy (BAB) 6-0, 6-4
4. Jamie Anderson (VCMT) def. Dan Levitan (BAB) 6-3, 7-5
5. Ben Roque (BAB) def. Jeremy Auh (VCMT) 6-1, 6-4
6. Alexander Luckmann (VCMT) def. Ho Wang Alastair Ng (BAB) 6-3, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Alberto De Mendiola/Brandon Rosenbluth (BAB) def. Jeremy Auh/Alexander Luckmann (VCMT) 8-3
2. Allen Sokolov/Juan Felipe Laso (VCMT) def. Ben Roque/Ho Wang Alastair Ng (BAB) 8-4
3. Dan Levitan/Dylan Levy (BAB) def. Nick Litsky/Nick Zuczek (VCMT) 8-2
 
Match Notes
Vassar College 10-7; Regional ranking #16
Babson College 5-7; Regional ranking #20