From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics

The 12th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University men's tennis team faced seventh-ranked Washington University in St. Louis in Claremont, California, on Sunday, March 11, defeating the Bears, 5-4, after the match was delayed due to overnight rain. The Tartans are now 8-3 for the year with two wins against nationally ranked teams.

After WashU won the first point at second doubles, sophomore Nicholas Calzolano (Hinsdale, Ill. / Hinsdale Central) and freshman Ben Ash (Johns Creek, Ga. / Johns Creek) tied the match with an 8-4 win at third doubles. The 15th-ranked pair of juniors Daniel Levine (Highland Park, Ill. / Boca Prep International School) and Chaz Downing (Newport Beach, Calif. / Corona Del Mar) then won at first doubles in an exciting 8-7 (7-4) match.

The Bears took back the lead with wins at sixth and fourth singles before the top three for the Tartans won in succession to put the match away.

Levine, ranked second in the nation, won his first singles match 6-2, 6-4 ahead of Downing winning at second singles, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. Freshman Ray Boppana(Boxborough, Mass. / Acton Boxborough Regional), ranked 20th, then won 6-2, 7-6 (10-8) to put the Tartans up 5-3. Boppana fought off three set points duirng the tiebreak before finishing with the win.

The match victory was the first for the Tartans against the Bears in program history.