Washington Kastles Win 3rd Straight Title to Complete Historic Season

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Kastles completed their third consecutive championship run on Sunday, sweeping all five sets of the Mylan WTT Finals to defeat the Springfield Lasers 25-12 in front of a capacity crowd of 2,670 fans at Kastles Stadium.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130729/NY54894 )

Winners of their last 12 matches, the Kastles (14-2) never trailed the Lasers (10-6) en route to their fourth WTT Championship in the last five years.

The Kastles are now 46-2 since 2011, including a 34-match win streak that surpassed the previous major U.S. pro sports record.

"It's been an unforgettable season for our franchise," said Kastles owner Mark Ein. "We broke a 41-year-old winning streak record to start it off, then captured our fourth King Trophy to finish it. Our results on and off the court continue to amaze me and inspire our players, and we are all  already looking forward to 2014."

One of Washington's two losses came at the hands of the Lasers, who defeated the Kastles 22-15 on July 11 at their home venue on the Southwest Waterfront.

But the Kastles were without 2013 Mylan WTT Female MVP Martina Hingis on that night, and her presence in the Finals overshadowed that of Springfield superstar Andy Roddick. Lasers coach John-Laffnie de Jager chose to start Rik de Voest, instead of Roddick, in men's singles and doubles.

The decision didn't pay off as Bobby Reynolds routed de Voest 5-1 in the opening set of singles before teaming with Leander Paes to defeat de Voest and Mylan WTT Male MVP Jean-Julien Rojer 5-2. Reynolds was named the Mylan WTT Finals MVP following the match for posting the highest game winning percentage.

In women's play, Hingis won singles 5-2, doubles 5-3 with Anastasia Rodionova and mixed doubles 5-4 with Paes. The Kastles captain Paes, who has been with Washington since its first title run in 2009, clinched the Kastles' latest championship by hitting a forehand return past Roddick at the net.

That winner capped another historic campaign for the Kastles, who finished both the 2011 and 2012 seasons with a 16-0 record.

Before their season opener on July 8, the Kastles entered the record books as the first reigning Mylan WTT champions to be invited to the White House to meet with the President of the United States. Hours after President Barack Obama honored them in the Oval Office, the Kastles defeated the New York Sportimes in front of a capacity crowd that included his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama.

Then, on July 9, Washington beat the Boston Lobsters to surpass the 33-game win streak record set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.

The Kastles' presence in the D.C. community was also recognized on July 24 when Congressmen Jim Costa, Charlie Dent, Mike McIntyre and Tim Bishop paid tribute to the Kastles in the middle of a session on the Floor of the House of Representatives.

For exclusive Kastles news, ticket information and player updates, follow the Kastles at washingtonkastles.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/washkastles, and on Twitter at twitter.com/washkastles.

About the Washington Kastles:

Founded in 2008 and owned by local entrepreneur Mark Ein, the Washington Kastles are the 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 Mylan World TeamTennis (WTT) champions and the only team in league history to go undefeated through the regular season and playoffs, an achievement Washington has earned twice. The Kastles' sixth season was led by reigning WTT Female MVP Martina Hingis, who played her previous five seasons for New York. With a founding mission of contributing to and bringing the Washington community together, the Kastles actively work with and support over 100 local charities and community organizations to make tennis accessible to everyone in the greater national capital area. To learn more about the Kastles, visit www.washingtonkastles.com.

About Mylan WTT presented by GEICO:

Mylan World TeamTennis presented by GEICO showcases the best in professional team tennis competition, playing an innovative coed team format. Co-founded by Billie Jean King in the 1970s and based on a concept of gender equity, Mylan WTT offers unique access to the sport and some of its greatest champions who have played over the past 38 seasons. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis. For more information on Mylan WTT, visit www.WTT.com.

SOURCE Washington Kastles