FAIRFAX, Va. — The George Mason women's tennis team opened their 2016-17 season on a positive note by winning both of their matches in the ninth annual Women's Invitational. Mason bested Howard and Christopher Newport, 8-2 and 5-4, respectively.
The tournament used a mock dual format with each match counting as one point. In the morning match, Mason began strong in the doubles by sweeping Howard at all three doubles positions. Sophomore Sydney Green and freshman Rachel Lee defeated the Howard's No. 1 duo formed by Jessica Josiah and Alex Boston, 6-3. Mason's No. 2 duo of senior co-captain Morgan Yang and sophomore Nicole Haigwood bested Howard's Sajela Harlow and Olivia Pelham 6-1. Mason completed the sweep when senior co-captain Scarlett Walston and freshman Liz Lowe prevailed over Nicole Hutchinson and Kinda Nasef in a dramatic fashion, 7-6.
However, the Bison showed their strength at the top of the singles lineup and won two of the three positions. At No. 1, singles Green displayed a combination of power and patience as she outlasted Josiah 4-6, 6-4, 10-7. Yang and Lee battled their Bison opponents but fell short as they both lost in straight sets.
Mason proved to be the deeper team as they were able to win positions four through seven. The Patriots' No. 4 Haigwood defeated Harlow 6-3, 6-1. Walston, playing in the fifth position, beat Pelham 6-1, 6-3. Liz Lowe and Sutherlyn Brinn, who completed Mason's lineup, defeated Funches and Boston, respectively.
In the late afternoon match Mason won two of the three doubles to go up 2-1 over CNU. The No. 1 duo Green/Walston defeated Harwood/Drye 6-4 while Yang/Haigwood beat Huck/Ranta-Aho 6-1. The Captains' duo of Morgan and Schrieber defeated Lowe and Brinn 7-6 for CNU's first point of the match.
In the singles match-ups CNU showed the depth that has them rapidly moving up the Div. III national ranking as they split the six singles matches with Mason. For the Patriots, Green beat Harwood 8-1, Haigwood defeated Drye 8-4, and Walston came back for a 8-5 win over Huck. The Captains took positions 2, 5, 6 when Ranto-Aho defeated Yang 8-6, Dockrill bested Lowe 8-2, and Morgan came out on top against Brinn, 8-1.
“It was great way to start the fall season” commented Director of Tennis Steve Curtis. “I love the energy and the perseverance of this team. They showed a real team attitude today.”
The Patriots are back in action next weekend when they travel to Mary Washington for the UMW Fall Classic.
George Mason 8, Howard 2
Doubles competition
1. Green/Lee (MASON) def. Josiah/Boston (Howard) 6-3
2. Yang/Haigwood (MASON) def. Harlow/Pelham (Howard) 6-1
3. Walston/Lowe (MASON) def. Nasef/Hutchinson (Howard) 7-6 (2)
Singles Competition
1. Sydney Green (MASON) def. Jessica Josiah (Howard) 4-6, 6-4, 10-7
2. Nicole Hutchinson (Howard) def. Morgan Yang (MASON) 6-3, 6-2
3. Kinda Nasef (Howard) def. Rachel Lee (MASON) 7-5, 6-3
4. Nicole Haigwood (MASON) def. Sajela Harlow (Howard) 6-3, 6-1
5. Scarlett Walston (MASON) def. Olivia Pelham (Howard) 6-1, 6-3
6. Liz Lowe (MASON) def. Margie Funches (Howard) 6-0, 6-1
7. Sutherlyn Brinn (MASON) def. Alexandra Boston (Howard) 6-2, 6-4
George Mason 5, Christopher Newport 4
Doubles competition
1. Green/Walston (MASON) def. Harwood/Drye (CNU) 6-4
2. Yang/Haigwood (MASON) def. Huck/Ranta-Aho (CNU) 6-1
3. Morgan/Schrieber (CNU) def. Lowe/Brinn (MASON) 7-6 (4)
Singles competition
1. Sydney Green (MASON) def. Mckinney Hardwood (CNU) 8-1
2. Johanna Ranta-Aho (CNU) def. Morgan Yang (MASON) 8-6
3. Nicole Haigwood (MASON) def. Alexandra Drye (CNU) 8-4
4. Scarlett Walston (MASON) def. Kate Huck (CNU) 8-5
5. Claire Drye (CNU) def. Liz Lowe (MASON) 8-2
6. Emily Morgan (CNU) def. Sutherlyn Brinn (MASON) 8-1
