March 23, 2003

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - George Mason recorded its first Colonial Athletic Association victory of the season, edging host Hofstra 4-3 in women's tennis Sunday at the Hofstra Tennis Center. The Patriots, who have won two of their last three matches to improve to 3-8 overall, are now 1-3 in the CAA.

The Patriots earned the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions. The duo of senior Dinali DeSilva (Negombo, Sri Lanka/Stafford International School) and sophomore Katie Sloper (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) triumphed 8-6 at No. 1 doubles, while the tandem of junior Deepti Bhalla (Lorton, VA/Hayfield) and freshman Caroline Kanaskie (West Chester, PA/Unionville) also won 8-6 at the No. 3 doubles spot.

The match was decided at #6 singles where freshman Kathleen Moore (Franklin, VA/Franklin) pulled a dramatic three-set victory over her opponent, Jillian Schalk. Schalk won the first set 6-0, but Moore answered in convincing fashion 6-0 in the second. The momentum continued to shift throughout the third set, but Moore broke Schalk's service game and took advantage, holding serve and went on to win 6-4 in the third and deciding set.

Other Mason singles winners included freshman Kelly Melichar (Burke, VA/Lake Braddock) at No. 3 and Sloper at the No. 4 position. DeSilva played well at No. 1, falling in three tightly contested sets, 5-7, 7-5, 6-7(5).

George Mason entertains CAA rival James Madison, Friday, at 3 p.m.

GEORGE MASON	4
HOFSTRA		3
(3/23/03, Hofstra Tennis Center, Hempstead, NY)
Singles
#1. Erika Reggiani d. Dinali DeSilva (GM), 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(5)
#2 Mihaela Stefan d. Jenn Dektas (GM), 6-2, 6-1
#3 Kelly Melichar (GM) d. Allison Kelly, 6-1, 6-0
#4 Katie Sloper (GM) d. Adriana Segura, 6-4, 7-5
#5 Mayo Hosoda d. Deepti Bhalla (GM), 6-1, 6-3
#6 Kathleen Moore (GM) d. Jillian Schalk, 0-6, 6-0, 6-4

Doubles
#1 DeSilva/Sloper (GM) d. Stefan/Kelly, 8-6
#2 Reggiani/Segura d. Dektas/Melichar (GM), 8-5
#3 Bhalla/ Caroline Kanaskie (GM) d. Hosoda/Schalk, 8-6