WEST POINT, N.Y. – The men's tennis team competed at the inaugural ITA Patriot League Masters Qualifying with a trip to NCAA Individuals on the line. Senior captains Josh Israel and Benito Vlassis were chosen to represent Colgate at the tournament, with Israel standing out by making a run to the semifinals. 

"I was extremely pleased with the level of play overall from senior captains Vlassis and Israel," Head Coach Bobby Pennington said. "The weekend started against Lehigh in doubles against a tough team who made the finals. I can't say enough good things about both boys' singles. We have a veteran ball club led by these two outstanding captains who are chomping at the bit for revenge in the spring."

Play began on Friday, with Israel and Vlassis competing in doubles against the number two seeded team from Lehigh, where they lost, 6-2. Singles action quickly followed with Israel playing his round of 32 match against Loyola. After a hot start, he found himself only two points away from falling out of the main draw playing from behind in set three.

Instead, the veteran leader went on to rally and win the tight three- setter, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. 

He followed that win up by defeating Lafayette in the round of 16, 6-2, 6-4. Vlassis had a tough matchup with the second-seeded player from Army in the round of 16, dropping the match 3-6, 6-7 (4-7). 

Action resumed on Saturday with Israel competing against Holy Cross in the quarterfinals and winning comfortably by a score of 6-3, 6-2. Vlassis competed in a consolation match against Navy's number two player, winning decisively 8-4. 

Israel finished the action off with his semifinals match against the number one seed from Bucknell, where he was finally defeated. 

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The Raiders will take a two-month hiatus before returning to action in January for their spring season.