March 18, 2003

RICHMOND, Va. - Returning to action for the first time since March 5, the George Mason men's tennis team was downed 7-0 by Richmond Tuesday afternoon at the UR Tennis Complex. The Patriots fall to 1-3 on the season, while the Spiders improve to 8-9 overall.

UR swept the doubles matches to claim the point and won five of six singles contests in straight sets. Due to impending weather, the contest opened with singles. In the #1 position, junior Tito Ballester (Lima, Peru/Saint Margaret/Winthrop) won the first set 6-4, but lost the second 6-3 to force the tiebreak which he dropped 10-2. Sophomore Tim Bainton (Chobham Surrey, UK) also performed well for Mason, falling 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2. Freshman Stephan Dufils (Paris, France/Heritage Academy) dropped a 6-2, 6-0 decision at No. 3.

Mason sent out three first time doubles tandems to face the Spiders. Ballester and Bainton teamed for the first time this season at No. 1 and lost a close match, 8-6. Senior Jorge Ramallo (Arlington, VA/Milton Academy) and sophomore Kishore Thota (Colonial Heights, VA/Colonial Heights) fell 8-4 at the #3 position. Freshman Miles Hughes (Lowry, VA/Jefferson Forest) and senior Cem Akalin (Goetzingen, Luxembourg) lost 8-0 at #2.

George Mason opens its CAA slate Thursday at James Madison at 2:30 p.m.

RICHMOND		7
GEORGE MASON	0
(3/18/03, at UR Tennis Complex, Richmond, VA)
Singles
#1 David Dunn d. Tito Ballester (GM), 4-6, 6-3 1-0 (10-2)
#2 Niki Doll d. Tim Bainton (GM), 6-1, 6-4
#3 Matt Cabana d. Stephan Dufils (GM), 6-2, 6-0
#4 Derek Schwandt d. Cem Akalin (GM), 6-0, 6-0
#5 Dan Scrafford d. Jorge Ramallo (GM), 6-0, 6-1
$6 Jeppy Moss d. Miles Hughes (GM), 6-0, 6-0

Doubles
#1 Donn/Moss d. Ballester/Bainton (GM), 8-6
#2 Scrafford/Cabana d. Hughes/Akalin (GM), 8-0
#3 Goldsmith/Haga d. Ramallo/Thota (GM), 8-4