LEXINGTON, Va. – The top-seeded Washington and Lee men's tennis team claimed its 12th straight Old Dominion Athletic Conference title with a 5-0 win over second-seeded Virginia Wesleyan in the championship match on Sunday at the W&L Upper Courts.
 
W&L (14-8) seized a 3-0 lead following the doubles play, but the Generals needed to earn it against the Marlins (13-8).  At No. 3 doubles, the team of sophomores Connor Coleman (Birmingham, Ala. / Briarwood Christian) and Josh Rassin (Houston, Texas / Lamar) needed a tiebreaker to post a win over the tandem of Henry West and Francis Cabaddu.  W&L eventually won 8-7 (2).
 
At No. 1 doubles, the team of first-years Eli Hirshberg (Alpharetta, Ga. / Johns Creek) and Will Kistler (Hilton Head, S.C. / Laurel Springs) produced an 8-6 victory over Felix Bevc and Mitchell Perry.  At second doubles, the team of junior Evan Brady (Glen Head, N.Y. / Chaminade) and first-year Evan Erb (Evan Erb (St. Louis, Mo. / MICDS) had an easier time, downing Timothy Tep and Cam Perry by a score of 8-3.
 
The bottom of the Generals' single lineup clinched the match.  First-year James Kurani (Charlotte, N.C. / Providence Day) logged a 6-1, 6-2 win over Cam Perry at No. 6 for a 4-0 W&L lead.  Coleman then closed out the match with a 6-0, 7-5 win over Henry West at No. 5 singles.
 
Washington and Lee has now won 40 total ODAC Championships in men's tennis.  The Generals will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship, which begins on Friday, May 13.  The site and opponent will be revealed on Monday.