Box Score (PDF)

ORLANDO, Fla. – The George Mason University men's tennis team fought hard and battled overwhelming heat during Thursday's A-10 First Round match but dropped the competitive affair to Duquesne inside the USTA National Campus.
 
Mason fell in the doubles point after the No. 3 match ended in a tiebreaker won by the Dukes. Duquesne took the first three singles matches to clinch the victory, although Mason had chances to win the final three contests that were called before they could be finished.
 
"I'm proud of our guys for how hard they fought today," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We weren't ready for the Florida heat and it definitely took a toll on our guys' bodies with cramping. Credit Duquesne for fighting through the conditions and coming out on top."
 
Duquesne won at No. 1 doubles, 6-4, but senior James Lange and freshman Jakob Nielsen broke their Dukes opponents early and held on for the win at No. 2, 6-4.
 
The doubles point then came down to No. 3. Senior Andrew Curtis and freshman Edward Ayers trailed by a break late in the set, but came up with a huge game victory on Duquesne's serve to force a tiebreak. The Patriots battled hard during the extra points but Duquense took the tiebreak, 7-4, to clinch the point.
 
In singles action, Duquesne won in straight sets at No. 5 and No. 1. After dropping the opening set at No. 2, 6-2, Mason's Pally Ray rallied with a strong 6-2 victory in the second set. But Duquesne's Adam Blasinsky took the win with a 6-3 victory in the third.
 
Both Nielsen (7-6) and Ayers (6-4) won their first sets and were in competitive second sets when the match was called.
 
At No. 6 singles, Curtis dropped his opening set, 6-1, and found himself trailing 4-1 in the second. But the senior broke his opponent twice and won five straight games to win the second set, 6-4, in remarkable comeback fashion. He also had a chance to win his match in the third when it was stopped.
 
"We have a young, talented team and I'm very confident we will come back next year even stronger," Davis said. "A huge thanks to Jimmy, Andrew and Youssef for all they've done during their time with George Mason tennis. Their leadership will be missed, but they have left the program heading in the right direction. They have played a big part in shaping our young guys for the future. We're excited to continue making progress as a team and are looking forward to bouncing back next season."

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