May 12, 2003

The George Mason men's tennis team opened the 2002-03 season with a 4-3 loss to North Carolina A&T. The Patriots would go on to see that score three other times last season. A lack of depth proved to be Mason's undoing throughout the year as George Mason just didn't have the weapons needed to pull out victories in the tight matches. Mason's other 4-3 losses all occurred against CAA opponents, including two versus Delaware and the other at Towson.

Even though the Patriots' fortunes weren't as bright as they could have been, the team did finish the year with four wins, going 4-12 overall. The Patriots didn't fare very well, however, against Colonial Athletic Association foes, ending the season with a 0-6 mark.

Mason proved to be a strong opponent for most teams, especially at the first three singles positions, where junior Tito Ballester (Lima, Peru/Saint Margaret/Winthrop), sophomore Tim Bainton (Chobham Surrey, UK/St. Georges), and freshman Stephan Dufils (Paris, France/Heritage Academy [SC]) combined for a 36-29 singles record at No. 1 through No. 3.

Ballester, in his first season with the Patriots, played in the top singles spot throughout the year, posting a 15-9 overall record and 3-3 mark against conference foes. Bainton moved up to No. 2 this season after seeing action at the No. 3 slot as a freshman. He concluded the year with a 10-10 mark and also finished 3-3 in league play. Dufils was positioned at No. 3 where he went 11-10.

Mason's final three singles players combined to win eight matches overall. Senior Cem Akalin (Goetzingen, Luxembourg/Lycee Vauban) was 4-16 at #4. Senior Jorge Ramallo (Arlington, VA/Milton Academy[MA]) and freshman Miles Hughes (Lowry, VA/Jefferson Forest) each finished 2-16 at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, respectively. Sophomore Kishore Thota (Colonial Heights, VA/Colonial Heights), who did not see action in any of Mason's dual matches, was 0-2 in tournament play.

In doubles, Ballester and Dufils posted an 8-10 overall record, playing primarily at the No. 1 spot. The duo was 2-3 against league foes. Akalin and Bainton also saw plenty of action as a team at #2, going 7-10 on the year, but 0-5 in the CAA.

The Patriots season opening loss to NC A&T was followed by a 5-2 victory over area foe Loyola. Mason also posted victories over Mount St. Mary's, Howard, and Coppin State.