Box Score (PDF)
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The George Mason University men's tennis team received contributions across the roster in a tight 4-3 victory Friday night over Mary Washington.
The Patriots trailed 3-2 in the match and needed to win the final two singles contests to come out with the victory. The Green & Gold did just that to take the first of two matches this weekend.
"This was as close as a match can get and we came out and battled hard to win it," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "Erick [Rivas] battled back from being down in the third set, which as a freshman is a difficult position to be in. He gave Jakob [Nielsen] the chance to clinch it. I'm very proud of how the guys stuck together through adversity today and I'm happy we came out with a win. This match will make us better as a team and help us trust each other in difficult moments."
The Patriots opened the match in doubles and picked up a win at No. 2 on the strength of an 8-5 victory from senior
Pally Ray and sophomore
Ryan Charles. They defeated the UMW team of Byrd and Hagino. But Mary Washington won at No. 1 and No. 3 to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
Mason's No. 1
Edward Ayers cruised to victory in the first singles match to wrap up, taking it in straight sets over Matt Miles (6-4, 6-2). It marked Ayers' second dual victory so far this season.
The Patriots took a 2-1 advantage on the strength of a solid performance from senior
Giuliano Buzoianu. The Romanian cruised in straight sets (7-5, 6-2) to provide the lead for the Green & Gold.
Mason then fell in matches at No. 3 and No. 5 singles, as Mary Washington took the lead (3-2) and moved within one point of clinching the match.
At that point, Mason began its comeback. Junior
Jakob Nielsen won a marathon of a match at No. 2, displaying a generous portion of grit and tenacity on the court. After falling in a 7-6 set (7-5 tiebreaker points) in the opening frame, Nielsen rallied to win the second set, 7-5. Then in the third, the set again went to a tiebreaker. This time, Nielsen took it in dominating fashion, winning 7-2 to tie the match at 3-3.
From there, it was Rivas' time to shine. The freshman won his opening set, 6-4, then dropped a lengthy tiebreaker (8-6) in a 7-6 defeat in the second set. In the third, Rivas trailed in the set, but came back to clinch the match for the Patriots. He won the set, 7-5.
Mason is back in action Sunday at 4 p.m. vs. Longwood at International Country Club.
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