The Patriot women's tennis team held the inaugural match on the new Mason tennis courts in a positive manner by defeating the University of the District of Columbia 5-2. 

Mason quickly went up on the Firebirds by winning the doubles point with victories at the #3 doubles (Marijke Boers and Mina Saygi) and #2 doubles (Ashley Delaney and Sofia Santa Maria). 

"It was nice to play in our new outdoor venue today", commented Coach Stephen Curtis. "The Firebirds jumped out to a quick lead in the doubles but we battled back to take the point".

Battling the wind as well as the UDC opponents, senior captain Ashley Delaney added to the lead as she defeated Maxime Duijst 6-0, 6-3.  Marijke Boers put the Patriots up 3-0 and Mina Saygi secured the win with the fourth point. Morgan Yang added to the lead with a 7-5, 6-0 victory at #2 singles.

The Firebirds refused to give in and fought back to win at #4 and #1 singles.

"I was pleased with our overall play today", added Curtis. "To finally get outside on our new courts was exciting but the players were able to control their emotions and secure the win".

The Patriots host the Howard men's and women's team on Wednesday. The men begin at 2:30 and the women at 3:30.

Monday March 31 at George Mason
Mason 5, University of the District of Columbia 2
Doubles
1. Nunez/Kenia(UDC) def. Yang/Lacy-Thompson (Mason) 8-5
2.  Delaney/Santa Maria (Mason) def. Duijst/Loorareesuwan (UDC) 8-6
3. ​Saygi/Boers (Mason) def. Leon/Gallard (UDC) 8-2

Singles
1. Jessica Nunez (UDC) def. Brittany Pilkington (Mason) 6-4, 7-6 (6)
2. Morgan Yang (Mason) def. Tamara Kenia (UDC) 7-5, 6-0
3. Ashley Delaney (Mason) def. Maxime Duijst (UDC) 6-0, 6-3
4. Peerada Loorareesuwan (UDC) def. Olivia Lacy-Thompson (Mason) 3-6, 6-4, 10-8
5. Marijke Boers (Mason) def. Sofia Leon (UDC) 6-3, 6-1
6. Mina Saygi (Mason) def. Alicia Gallard (UDC) 7-6 (7), 6-1

Order of finish:
Doubles: 3, 2, 1
Singles: 3, 5, 6, 2, 1, 4