Jan. 30, 2004

RICHMOND, Va. - George Mason's women's tennis team opened its 2004 spring dual match season at the Va. Commonwealth 4-1 Invitational on Friday at the Thalhimer Tennis Center. The Patriots matched up against No. 16 Va. Commonwealth in the early contest and took on Campbell in the afternoon.

Against the Rams, sophomore Katie Sloper (Alexandria, VA/Bishop Ireton) recorded the lone victory for the Patriots, winning at No. 4 singles, 6-1, 6-4, as Mason fell 4-1.

Mason competed better against the Camels, posting better scores overall, but it wasn't enough as the team dropped a 5-0 decision.

The Patriots are now 0-2 in dual matches to start the season. They return to action Saturday at the VCU 4-1 Invitational with a 10 a.m. bout against East Tennessee State and a 4 p.m. contest against Davidson.

No. 16 VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH 4
GEORGE MASON 1
(at Thalhimer Tennis Center, Richmond, VA, 1/30/04)
Singles
#1 Silvia Urikova d. Jenn Dektas (GM), 6-0, 6-0
#2 Olga Borisova d. Maricel Ballester (GM), 6-0, 6-1
#3 Camille Ripert d. Jamie Delorie (GM), 6-0, 6-1
#4 Katie Sloper (GM) d. Diana O'Campo, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
#1 Cristina Arribas/Cristina Gago
d. Melissa Wooten/Natalie Oudar (GM), 6-0, 6-0

CAMPBELL 5
GEORGE MASON 0
(at Thalhimer Tennis Center, Richmond, VA, 1/30/04)
Singles
#1 Carmen Linder d. Jenn Dektas (GM), 6-2, 6-1
#2 Pascale Veraverbeke d. Maricel Ballester (GM), 6-2, 6-1
#3 Georgiana Marta d. Jamie Delorie (GM), 6-3, 6-0
#4 Iva Stojancer d. Katie Sloper (GM), 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
#1 Colen Gore/Lin Bunce
d. Melissa Wooten/Natalie Oudar (GM), 6-4, 6-2