Box Score (PDF)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The George Mason University men's tennis team fell 4-1 in a hard-fought contest to NEC power Monmouth on Sunday afternoon on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy.
 
Monmouth (4-1), which went 18-2 last season en route to an NCAA bid, won two of three doubles matches and three of four singles contests to take the win. Mason showed grit throughout the match but didn't have the 'A' game necessary to pull the upset on Sunday.
 
In doubles, Mason's duo of Edward Ayers and Rishab Sardana won 6-3 at No. 3. The Patriots dropped No. 1 doubles, so the point came down to a battle at No. 2. Junior Ryan Charles and freshman Rithik Sardana went to a tiebreaker with the Wharton/Busato Monmouth team, but fell 7-4 in the extra points as the Hawks won 7-6 and claimed the doubles point.
 
In singles, Ayers' opponent retired in the first set, giving Mason a point to tie the score at 1-1. But the Hawks claimed two-set wins at No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 to clinch the win.
 
Elsewhere, two Patriots were in the midst of competitive contests when the match was called. At No. 3, Rishab Sardana won his first set, 6-4, over Will Cooke Wharton and trailed 2-5 in the second.
 
Freshman Faisal Alrebdi won his first set 6-3 at No. 6 and was up 5-2 in the second, just a game away from victory when the match was clinched.
 
Mason returns to action on Friday (Feb. 21) with a match against James Madison. The 4 p.m. contest will be played at Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria.