FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason University men's team aims to build on a solid fall season Sunday when the Patriots kick off the 2018 spring slate vs. Mt. St. Mary's.
 
First serve between the Patriots and Mountaineers is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, D.C.
 
Mason's young, but experienced group of Patriots is ready for a successful 2018 season after putting together a number of superb performances during the fall.
 
Patriot student-athletes combined to post a 45-30 (.600) record in singles over a three-tournament ledger.
 
"The guys came back looking fit and motivated after the winter break," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "I believe the schedule for the spring season has a good mix of opponents that will help us maximize our abilities leading up to the conference tournament. We believe we can win every match we play, and will continue to work hard every practice to achieve the highest possible finish we can in the A-10 this year."
 
Sophomore Edward Ayers led the charge for the Green & Gold in the fall, posting an 8-3 singles record over the three tournaments. He also went 4-4 in doubles alongside junior Giuliano Buzoianu. Ayers played exceptionally well during the ITA Regional in October, advancing to the Round of 32 while taking down No. 15 seed Matthew Lord of Virginia (6-3, 7-6). Lord had entered the season as the No. 6 freshman in the nation. In addition, Ayers also advanced to the championship match of the Navy Invitational.
 
Ayers went 21-9 in singles during the spring 2017 season, primarily at the No. 3 position, and will look to continue that consistency this year. He also posted a 5-1 mark in A-10 doubles matches with departed senior Andrew Curtis. Ayers will team with Buzoianu this season.
 
In addition, 2017 All-Atlantic 10 Second Team selection Pally Ray is ready for a big spring. The Alpharetta, Ga., product went 18-13 in singles play last year, including an 8-5 dual mark at the No. 2 position. He registered a 5-3 mark in tournament singles during the 2017 fall season, including a 3-1 mark at the Joe Hunt Invitational to open the campaign.
 
Ray is one of two senior starters returning for the Green & Gold in 2018. His doubles partner, Daniel Gutierrez, played No. 4 and 5 singles for much of 2017 and posted an 18-11 record, including a 10-8 dual mark. This fall, he went 5-4 in singles.
 
"We have good team chemistry this season," Ray said. "Both freshmen [Carter Bradford and Ryan Charles] came in and made a big impact. Over the past two years, we have brought in a lot of new players and I think it's made us closer as a group. I think it's helped us realize we have a lot of potential."
 
Gutierrez and Ray combined to post a 9-8 dual doubles mark last spring while anchoring the Patriots at the No. 1 position. They registered a team-best 6-3 doubles mark this fall and look to be setting up for an outstanding senior campaign together.
 
Sophomore Jakob Nielsen played No. 3 singles for the majority of last spring and impressed as a freshman with a 10-5 mark at No. 3. He went 5-4 in fall singles and upset No. 17 seed Sebastian Quiros of William & Mary in the ITA Regional. Also during the fall, Nielsen partnered with current Mason freshman Carter Bradford to go 3-2 in doubles.
 
Bradford entered Mason in August as one of the most decorated high school players in program history. A top-150 USTA ranked player, Bradford is a four-star recruit and a multiple-time high school sectional champion.

Bradford is joined in the Mason rotation by fellow freshman Ryan Charles. He's a 6-foot-4-inch standout from Virginia Beach.
 
Charles played alongside sophomore Isaiah Volk during the fall and posted a 2-3 mark in doubles. Charles and Volk will both look to cement a place in the Mason lineup this spring.
 
Buzoianu will most likely team up with Ayers in doubles and also look to secure a spot in the singles circuit. He went 5-3 in singles during the fall season. Senior Amir Alkhafaji also went 5-3 in the fall.
 
"I'm excited to see the guys grow over the course of the semester, and very proud of the work they've put in so far in both academics and tennis," Davis said. "Our goal is to be a top-6 seed in the conference tournament this year, and with a competitive Atlantic 10 Conference we are excited for the challenge."
 
Ray believes for the team to reach its potential this year, Patriot student-athletes must continue to build confidence in each other as the season continues.
 
"We just need to execute this year," Ray said. "We have a very diverse team in terms of personality and game style. In fall matches, it's all individually-based and a completely different atmosphere. In team matches, it comes down to chemistry. If there are two or three big points when the match is on the line, it all depends on how much we trust each other. If we all support each other, I don't see how our confidence should waiver."
 
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