Jan. 31, 2004

RICHMOND, Va. - George Mason's women's tennis team continued its 2004 spring season Saturday on day two of the Va. Commonwealth 4-1 Invitational, held at the Thalhimer Tennis Center. The Patriots faced East Tennessee State in the morning and Davidson in the afternoon.

ETSU proved to be a worthy opponent for the Patriots. The Mason women played well and were very competitive in every match. However, Patriot freshman Maricel Ballester (Lima, Peru) scored the lone point for Mason at No. 2 singles, winning her bout in three sets, 2-6, 6-3, 10-3, as Mason fell 4-1. Sophomore Jenn Dektas (Maineville, OH/Cincinnati Hills Christian Acad.) trailed 0-4 in the first set of her match at No. 1 singles, but battled back, eventually falling 4-6, 4-6.

The Patriots returned for their afternoon match against Davidson, but couldn't get things going as the team dropped a 5-0 decision.

George Mason returns to action Saturday, February 21, at West Virginia in Morgantown.

EAST TENNESSEE STATE 4
GEORGE MASON 1
(at Thalhimer Tennis Center, Richmond, VA, 1/31/04)
Singles
#1 Jessica Irey d. Jenn Dektas (GM), 6-4, 6-4
#2 Maricel Ballester (GM) d. Sylwia Ziolkowska, 2-6, 6-3, 10-3
#3 Gemmi Halim d. Jamie Delorie (GM), 6-1, 6-1
#4 Ttianna Arriaran d. Katie Sloper (GM), 6-4, 7-5
Doubles
#1 Courtney McInnis/Jennel Aldea
   d. Melissa Wooten/Natalie Oudar (GM), 6-1, 6-3

DAVIDSON 5
GEORGE MASON 0
(at Thalhimer Tennis Center, Richmond, VA, 1/31/04)
Singles
#1 Kelly Fillnow d. Jenn Dektas (GM), 6-1, 6-2
#2 Megan Fillnow d. Maricel Ballester (GM), 6-1, 6-3
#3 Kate Levitt d. Jamie Delorie (GM), 6-2, 6-2
#4 Shelby Rocker d. Katie Sloper (GM), 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
#1 Maggie Patterson/Lindsey Powell
   d. Caroline Kanaskie/Kathleen Moore (GM), 6-0, 6-0