BETHANY, W.Va. – The Washington & Jefferson College men's tennis team earned a hard fought 6-3 road victory over Bethany College in Presidents' Athletic Conference play Friday evening.
 
The Presidents claimed two of the three matches in doubles play to jump out to an early lead. The tandem of Nate Wang (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) and Sam Bellini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) earned a narrow tiebreak victory at first doubles. Josh Hnat (Dubois, Pa./Dubois) and Ruchir Gupta (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central) tallied an 8-3 win at third doubles. 
 
Wang breezed to a 6-0, 6-2 win at first singles while Bellini had little trouble at the second spot, claiming victory by a 6-2, 6-2 margin. Stephen Mehlbaum (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) won by a 6-2, 6-0 score at third singles. Gupta rolled with 6-2, 6-1 score at the sixth spot. 
 
The victory is the fifth straight for W&J, who remains perfect in the PAC at 5-0 while moving to 10-2 overall. The loss drops Bethany to 4-2 in league play and 9-4 overall.
 
W&J hosts Waynesburg University tomorrow (Saturday) for a conference clash. Start time is slated for 11 a.m. The match will serve as Senior Day for the Presidents. 
 
Singles Competition 
1. Nate Wang (WJC) def. Chris Ray (BET) 6-0, 6-2
2. Sam Bellini (WJC) def. Rhone Thrash (BET) 6-2, 6-2
3. Stephen Mehlbaum (WJC) def. Raj Vijayarajah (BET) 6-2, 6-0
4. Drake Berlin (BET) def. Max Perilstein (WJC) 6-2, 1-6, 10-8
5. Geoffrey Foster (BET) def. Josh Hnat (WJC) 6-3, 0-6, 10-5
6. Ruchir Gupta (WJC) def. Adam Franco (BET) 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles Competition 
1. Nate Wang/Sam Bellini (WJC) def. Chris Ray/Drake Berlin (BET) 8-7
2. Rhone Thrash/Raj Vijayarajah (BET) def. Stephen Mehlbaum/Max Perilstein (WJC) 8-4
3. Josh Hnat/Ruchir Gupta (WJC) def. Geoffrey Foster/Adam Franco (BET) 8-3