Box Score (PDF)
MONTCLAIR, Va. – The George Mason University men's tennis team fought to the final point but came up just short, dropping a 4-3 decision to Liberty (2-2) on Friday morning at Montclair Country Club.
The Flames won the doubles point, but Mason (2-3) rallied back to win three of the next five singles matches. The contest came down to No. 6 singles, where Liberty (2-2) pulled out a three-set victory.
"This one definitely hurt, but the guys battled for every single point all the way through the lineup," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We just happened to fall a couple points short. Liberty is a great team, but we will get back to working on pressure points and getting more solid in the doubles lineup so we can win these close matches. We're excited to get a chance to redeem ourselves against Navy tomorrow."
Liberty won matches at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to open the contest and clinch the doubles point. Mason's No. 1 doubles team of juniors
Pally Ray and
Daniel Gutierrez earned a 7-5 victory over the Liberty duo of Chase Burton and Max Borcuti.
The match then moved to singles play, where Ray took a three-set affair over Eddie Gutierrez. Ray won the first set 6-2, then captured the third (6-1) after dropping the middle frame, 2-6.
Mason's Gutierrez –
Daniel Gutierrez, that is – followed up Ray's performance with a three-set win at No. 4 singles. He won the first set (6-2) and third set (6-4), while dropping the second, 4-6.
With Mason leading, 2-1, Liberty evened the score, with the Flames' Vince Salas defeating
Jakob Nielsen in three frames (6-2, 0-6, 7-5).
Liberty pulled in front (3-2) after a victory by Burton over
James Lange at No. 1 singles (7-5, 4-6, 6-3).
With Mason up against the wall, freshman
Edward Ayers pulled out a big victory at No. 5 singles. He won in straight sets (6-3, 6-0) and the match came down to the final singles match of the day.
Giuliano Buzoianu won the first set at No. 6 singles, 6-1, but dropped the final two (6-4, 6-3) to give the Flames the down to the wire win.
Mason returns to action Saturday at Navy (7-2). First serve is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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