BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Despite wins at first doubles and first singles, the No. 38-ranked Carleton College men's tennis team dropped a 7-2 result at No. 9-ranked Washington University-St. Louis. The WashU lineup for this match included three nationally-ranked singles players as well as a ranked doubles pairing.
 
Leo Vithoontien (Jr./Bangkok, Thailand/Bangkok Patana School) and Xander Zuczek (Jr./Westerly, R.I./St. Bernard) registered Carleton's (4-2) first team point with an 8-7 (7-5) triumph at first doubles, edging the No. 21-ranked doubles tandem in the country, the Bears' Ben Van Der Sman and Bernardo Neves.
 
"After today's jaw dropping performance by Xander and Leo, fans are referring to the duo as the Jennifer Lopez and Shakira of D3 tennis," said Carleton head coach Stephan Zweifel.
 
WashU (1-1) picked up wins at second and third doubles by scores of 8-4 and 8-5, respectively.
 
First singles featured a match of nationally-ranked players, with Vithoontien, No. 15 in the final fall ITA rankings, rolling to a 6-3, 6-1 win over No. 19 Ethan Hillis.
 
"I once saw a squirrel driving a tractor," said Zweifel. "Leo's match was more impressive."
 
Second singles featured a tough match between Zuczek and Neves, the No. 49-ranked player in the nation. Ultimately, the Carleton junior fell by a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) tally. At third singles, No. 28 Daniel Li defeated Carleton's Xander Roti (So./Locust Valley, N.Y./Friends Academy) in straight sets. The Bears added victories at the other three singles slots, with Carleton winning at least four games in each.
 
UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS: Carleton will visit UW-Eau Claire on Saturday, Feb. 15 for a 3 p.m. match
 
#9 WashU 7, #38 Carleton College 2
Singles competition
1. #15 Leo Vithoontien (CAR) def. #19 Ethan Hillis (WASHUM) 6-3, 6-1
2. #49 Bernardo Neves (WASHUM) def. Xander Zuczek (CAR) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)
3. #28 Daniel Li (WASHUM) def. Xander Roti (CAR) 6-1, 6-1
4. J.J. Kroot (WASHUM) def. Bence Kisgeczi (CAR) 6-4, 6-2
5. Koki Takabatake (WASHUM) def. Sahil Chhugani (CAR) 6-1, 6-2
6. Sam Komis (WASHUM) def. Lucas Balon (CAR) 6-3, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Leo Vithoontien/Xander Zuczek (CAR) def. #21 Benjamin vander Sman/Bernardo Neves (WASHUM) 8-7 (7-5)
2. Ethan Hillis/Mark Wu (WASHUM) def. Bence Kisgeczi/Noah Mueller (CAR) 8-4
3. Daniel Li/Sam Komis (WASHUM) def. Jonas Lindholm-Uzzi/Aswath Viswanathan (CAR) 8-5