Results (PDF)

TULSA, Okla. – George Mason University men's tennis senior Edward Ayers made the most of his historic opportunity at this weekend's ITA All-American Championship, battling to the end in a highly competitive match with a Big 12 opponent.
 
Facing Baylor's Ryan Dickerson, Ayers held a lead in the second set but could not finish off the frame, falling in pre-qualifying action.
 
"Eddie played a great match and had an opportunity to push one of the top players in the nation to three sets," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "He ultimately came up short on some big points that decided the outcome of the match. Eddie represented Mason with grit, determination and class at the biggest college tournament in the country, our entire team couldn't be happier that he had this opportunity. We're motivated to get back out on the practice court and start preparing for regionals in a couple weeks."
 
Ayers dropped the opening set, 6-2, but fought right back in the second to take a 5-2 advantage. After Dickerson came back, Ayers had a chance to send it to a tiebreak, but could not convert a deuce point to force more tennis.
 
The experience should prove extremely valuable to Ayers, who is the first ever Mason men's tennis student-athlete to qualify for the ITA All-American Championship.
 
Ayers and the Patriots are back in action beginning Friday (Oct. 11) at the Spider Invitational in Richmond, Va.