April 17, 2003

RICHMOND, Va. - Eighth-seeded George Mason defeated No. 9 seed Hofstra 4-2 Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Women's Tennis Championships, held at Byrd Park. Mason improves to 5-13 on the season. The Patriots won the previous meeting between the Pride 4-3 on March 23 in Hempstead, NY.

Mason received victories at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 5 singles and won the doubles point. Senior Dinali DeSilva (Negombo, Sri Lanka) avenged a regular season loss with a three set 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 victory at the #1 singles position. Freshman Katie Sloper (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton), who earned a No. 4 singles win in the teams' first meeting, notched a 6-4, 6-0 victory at #3. Junior Deepti Bhalla (Lorton, VA/Hayfield), who lost in straight sets at No. 5 in March, also avenged her defeat with a three set 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 win this afternoon.

The Patriots' tandem of DeSilva and freshman Jenn Dektas (Maineville, OH/Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy) won for the second consecutive match at #1 doubles, downing their opponents, 8-2. Bhalla teamed with freshman Caroline Kanaskie (West Chester, PA/Unionville) to post an 8-4 win at No. 3.

George Mason advances to the quarterfinals where they will face top seeded William & Mary, Friday at 2 p.m. in Byrd Park. The Tribe, who are currently ranked ninth nationally in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings, bested the Patriots 7-0 when the two teams met during the regular season.

#8 GEORGE MASON	4
#9 HOFSTRA		2
(4/17/03, at Byrd Park, Richmond, VA)
Singles
1. Dinali DeSilva (GM) d. Erika Reggiani, 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
2. Jenn Dektas (GM) vs. Mahaela Stefan, DNF
3. Katie Sloper (GM) d. Allison Kelly, 6-4, 6-0
4. Adriana Segura d. Kelly Melichar (GM), 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
5. Deepti Bhalla (GM) d. Mayo Hosado, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3
6. Jillian Schalk d. Kathleen Moore (GM), 6-4, 6-4

Doubles
1. DeSilva/Dektas (GM) d. Reggiani/Segura, 8-2
2. Sloper/Melichar (GM) vs. Stefan/Kelly, DNF
3. Bhalla / Caroline Kanaskie (GM) d. Hosado/Schalk, 8-4