WASHINGTON, Pa. – The top seeded Washington & Jefferson College men's tennis team rolled to a 5-1 victory over second-seeded Grove City College in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship match Saturday afternoon at the Janet Swanson Tennis Center. 
 
The PAC men's tennis title was the first for the program since 1969. For his efforts, sophomore Nate Wang (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) was named the PAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
 
W&J secured two of the three doubles matches to take an early 2-1 lead. Wang and Sam Bellini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mount Lebanon) were a big part of the strong start for W&J. The Presidents' top tandem rolled to an 8-3 decision at first doubles. 
 
The pairing of Stephen Mehlbaum (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) and Max Perilstein (Glenside, Pa./Cheltenham Township) picked up an 8-6 decision at second doubles. 
 
Moving into singles play, W&J needed three points to secure its first conference title in 50 years. The Presidents would leave no doubt, claiming the first three decisions in singles play to roll to the 5-1 victory. 
 
Cole Hartman (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy) breezed to a 6-2, 6-1 win at fourth singles to give W&J a 3-1 advantage in the team score. Josh Hnat (Dubois, Pa./Dubois) followed with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at the sixth spot.
 
That set the stage for Bellini to clinch the match. The sophomore won by a 6-2, 6-0 score at second singles to bring the match to a close. 
 
The win improves W&J's overall record to 15-3. Grove City drops to 11-9 overall. 
 
W&J secures the PAC's automatic qualifying bid (Pool A) to the NCAA Division III Championships. 
 
Team selections for the Division III Championships are scheduled to be announced Monday, May 6 with the first, second and third rounds slated for Thursday-Sunday, May 9-12.  
 
Singles competition
1. Nate Wang (WJC) vs. Karsten Lagerquist (GRO) 6-2, unfinished
2. Sam Bellini (WJC) def. Edward Doyle (GRO) 6-2, 6-0
3. Stephen Mehlbaum (WJC) vs. Paul Hodge (GRO) 2-6, unfinished
4. Cole Hartman (WJC) def. Miguel Esteban (GRO) 6-2, 6-1
5. Max Perilstein (WJC) vs. Andrew Rodenbeck (GRO) 3-6, unfinished
6. Josh Hnat (WJC) def. Alex Kidd (GRO) 6-1, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Nate Wang/Sam Bellini (WJC) def. Andrew Rodenbeck/Paul Hodge (GRO) 8-3
2. Stephen Mehlbaum/Max Perilstein (WJC) def. Karsten Lagerquist/Miguel Esteban (GRO) 8-6
3. Alex Kidd/Edward Doyle (GRO) def. Josh Hnat/Cole Hartman (WJC) 8-5
 
Match Notes
Grove City 11-9
Wash. and Jeff. 15-3
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (,4,6,2)
PAC Men's Tennis Championship Tournament Title Match