Box Score (PDF)
FAIRFAX, Va. – A super singles effort propelled the George Mason University men's tennis team (6-6, 1-2) to a 5-2 victory over Atlantic 10 foe Duquesne (6-8, 2-3) on Friday afternoon at the Mason Tennis Complex.
The Patriots dropped the doubles point, but captured five of six singles matches, including four in straight sets.
"The guys pulled out a gutsy performance today," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We stayed calm in pressure situations and were able to execute the right game style at the right time. I'm really happy with the improvements our guys showed today. Win or lose, we are competing point in and point out, and that's going to make us difficult to beat in conference."
Despite dropping the doubles point, the Patriots captured the No. 3 doubles match behind a strong performance from the reliable duo of
Andrew Curtis and
Edward Ayers (6-4). That team has won its last four dual doubles matches.
Junior
Pally Ray quickly got the Patriots on the board in singles, dominating his opponent at No. 2 singles in straight sets (6-3, 6-2).
The Patriots went up 2-1 after freshman
Jakob Nielsen also made quick work of his opponent at the No. 3 position. The Canadian took down Duquesne's Drew Akins, 6-3, 6-3.
The Dukes captured the No. 1 singles match to tie it up at 2-2, but from there, the Patriots took command.
At No. 4 singles,
Edward Ayers won his sixth-straight contest, taking down Tim Kane, 7-6, 6-3.
With the Patriots ahead, 3-2, Mason clinched the match at No. 5 singles, when junior
Daniel Gutierrez defeated Jared Isaacs (6-4, 7-6).
To put the icing on the cake, senior
Andrew Curtis dropped his opening set at No. 6, 0-6. But Curtis rallied to win the second, 6-3, and went the distance with a 10-7 victory in the third.
"We still have a lot of work to do and will have another chance to improve against a tough Longwood team tomorrow," Davis said. "I'm very proud of our effort and am excited to get back to work."
The Patriots and Lancers will do battle on Saturday at 2 p.m. inside the Mason Tennis Complex.
