April 11, 2008

Mason's five-game win streak, longest since 1998-99, was ended by Morgan State as the Patriots lost 5-2 at Druid Hill tennis courts in Baltimore. Mason moved to 7-11 on the season with one match to play before the CAA Championship.

Doubles matches began the day and Morgan State grabbed the first point of the match. Jordan Lipstock and Matt Vaughn were the only ones to win. Matt Vaughn demonstrated soft hands, pin point accuracy, and a massive serve in the 8-6 win. Stas Budagov and Harwood Hoskins had the tough task on taking on brothers in doubles competition and never could get a good read on either of them to take enough points to come out with a win. Brian Fitzgerald and Dan Schneider were the last to fall as they struggled to return the opposition's shots.

The Patriots would only take two more matches on the day: Fitzgerald's and Schneider's. Schneider was the first for Mason to finish as he battled in the first set having two lead changes, two ties, and several split games. Schneider came into the eighth game tied at 4 all and when he got to the tenth game it was the same, but Schneider managed to take the advantage taking the 11th game of the set followed by the 12th to take the set.

Just as Schneider was ending his first set, Fitzgerald was still heavy into his first set due to an injury timeout for the opponent. After 10 games in the first set Fitzgerald's match was tied 5-5 and he had battled with his opponent in long volley exchanges. Fitzgerald, like his doubles partner, would take the next two games to win the first set 7-5.

By the time Fitzgerald had taken his first set, Schneider was amidst his second set, in cruising fashion as he won 6-0, with powerful serves and great placement of the ball. Even though Schneider and Fitzgerald came out with wins, the first to finish his first set was Budagov as he came back from a 0-3 deficit to take the first set 6-4. In the second set Budagov would go up 5-2 and serving for the match. Unfortunately he could not retain his lead and lost the match in three sets 4-6, 7-6, 6-1.

Mason prepares for its last match of the season before the CAA Championships at home on Sunday April 13 at 1 p.m. against Longwood.

Doubles:
No.1 - Mhembere/Charles (MSU) def. Fitzgerald/D.Schneider 8-4
No.2 - Lipstock/Vaughn (MAS) def. J.Ortiz/M.Ortiz (MSU) 8-6
No.3 - Turkey/Townes (MSU) def. Budagov/Hoskins (MAS) 8-1
Singles:
No.1 - Brian Fitzgerald (MAS) def. Mhembere (MSU) 7-5, 6-1
No.2 - J.Ortiz (MSU) def. Stas Budagov (MAS) 4-6, 7-6, 6-1
No.3 - Dan Schneider (MAS) def. Turkey (MSU) 7-5, 6-0
No.4 - Charles (MSU) def. Harwood Hoskins (MAS) 6-1, 6-0
No.5 - Townes (MSU) def. Jordan Lipstock (MAS) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
No.6 - Chekhlatyy (MSU) def. Martin Brown (MAS) 6-1, 6-1