Oct. 2, 2008

The fall tennis season is usually reserved for tournaments, but the women's tennis team managed to schedule a home dual match against Shepherd University. The first dual match ended in an impressive 7-0 victory for the Patriots.

"This was a good opening test for us and the team responded well," Head Coach Steve Curtis said. "We are continuing to improve individually and as a team. I am especially pleased with the progress we are making in doubles."

The Patriots won four of the six singles matches in two sets and in convincing fashion. Freshman Brooke Blackwell lost only one game in her match at No. 2 singles, 6-0, 6-1. Lindsay Gray returns to the Patriots line-up in a familiar spot and similar result, defeating the Rams Bolster, 6-2, 6-1. Returnees Meredith Cutchin and Aryn Christman both won by 6-1, 6-1 scores from the No. 5 and No. 6 positions.

In doubles action, Mason No. 1 duo of Gray and Cutchin defeated Brittany Bolster and Meredith Scaggs, 8-2. The team of Laura-Marie Blisk and Stephanie Longueira defeated Shepherds No. 2 team and Blackwell and Van Zandt handled the No. 3 spot, with an 8-5 victory.

Doubles
1) Lindsay Gray/Meredith Cutchin defeated Brittany Bolster/Meredith Scaggs, 8-2
2) Laura-Marie Blisk/Stephanie Longueira defeated Amanda Bickerton/Brittany Moreland, 8-3
3) Brooke Blackwell/Alicia Van Zandt defeated Audra Praskwiecz/Rachel Felicio, 8-5
Singles
1) Gray defeated Bolster 6-2, 6-1
2) Blackwell defeated Scaggs 6-0, 6-1
3) Blisk defeated Moreland 6-2, 3-6, 10-7
4) Sarah Dieffenbach defeated Praskwiecz 4-6, 6-2, 10-3
5) Cutchin defeated Bickerton 6-1, 6-1
6) Aryn Christman defeated Linda Ybarra 6-1, 6-1