April 5, 2003

BURKE, Va. - George Mason lost to Colonial Athletic Association foe UNC Wilmington Saturday afternoon by a score of 4-1 in men's tennis at the Burke Racquet Club. The Patriots fall to 3-8 on the year and remain winless in the CAA at 0-4.

The match was originally slated to be played at the GMU Tennis Courts on Mason's campus, however, due to uncertain weather conditions, the competition was moved indoors to the Burke Racquet Club and shortened to a 4-1 format due to time constraints.

Junior Tito Ballester (Lima, Peru) claimed the point for the Patriots, winning in three sets 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(3) at No. 1 singles. The victory was Ballester's fourth win in his last five matches.

Freshman Stephan Dufils (Paris, France) also went three sets in his match at the No. 3 position. He won the first set 7-5, but lost the second, 7-6. The contest would go to Dufils' opponent in a super tiebreak third set, 11-9.

George Mason is at Towson Tuesday at 3 p.m. before heading to area foe UMBC for a Thursday afternoon 3 p.m. tilt. The Patriots then host Coppin State Friday at 2 p.m. and travel to nationally-ranked Old Dominion Sunday at 2 p.m.

UNC WILMINGTON	4
GEORGE MASON	1
(4/5/03, at GMU Tennis Courts, Fairfax, VA)
Singles
1. Tito Ballester (GM) d. Danilo Mender, 6-1, 1-6, 7-6(3)
2. Mauricio Cabrini d. Tim Bainton (GM), 6-1, 7-5
3. Lee Bailey d. Stephan Dufils (GM), 5-7, 7-6, (11-9)
4. Thierry Zysset d. Miles Hughes (GM), 6-2, 6-0

Doubles
1. Scott Curry/Josh Franceschina d. Cem Akalin / Jorge Ramallo (GM), 8-1