Box Score (PDF)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The George Mason University men's tennis team stopped a two-match skid with a nice bounce back win over Mary Washington Sunday.
The Patriots (3-4) won the doubles point for the first time in three matches, then went on to win four of six singles contests to upend the Eagles – who are ranked 27
th in NCAA Division III competition.
"We had another close battle today and the guys did a much better job in pressure point situations," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "The improvements we've been working towards in doubles showed through as we won the deciding match in a tiebreaker. If we continue with good energy and hard practices day in and day out we will get to the level we know we are capable of achieving."
Mason's red-hot first doubles tandem of
Pally Ray and
Daniel Gutierrez remained undefeated in dual action with a 9-8 victory (8-6 tiebreak). The dynamic duo is now 3-0 in dual competition this season.
Jakob Nielsen and
James Lange also were victorious in doubles, winning 8-3 at the No. 2 position. Nielsen and Lange are now 2-2 together in 2017.
Moving on to singles play, Lange also won his match at the No. 2 position, defeating Mike Fleming in three sets (6-1, 2-6, 6-4).
Nielsen won his matchup at No. 3 singles in straight sets (6-1, 6-0), while Eddie Ayers took control at No. 5 singles with a two-set win over Patrick Hughes (6-3, 6-4). Ayers has found his niche in that spot, with a 4-0 record at No. 5 this season.
Andrew Curtis represented another Mason point, claiming victory at No. 6 singles (7-5, 3-6, 6-1).
The Patriots now take a near month-long competitive hiatus and will look to fine tune their skills before a spring break trip set for mid-March. Mason will compete in the PTR Springfest, which commences with matches against Edinboro (Pa.) and Charleston (W. Va.) on March 13.
