Box Score (PDF)

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The George Mason University men's tennis team nearly came up with a league victory on Wednesday morning at PTR Springfest but came up just short, falling in a final match tiebreaker to Saint Louis.
 
Missing lineup stalwart Momin Khan and additional team members due to injury, the Patriots fought all morning and had a chance to grab the victory. It all came down to No. 5 singles, where the Billikens' Sansh Kumar edged Alvaro Pedraza, 10-8, in a super tiebreaker.
 
"The guys battled hard today," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win even while short-handed with some injuries. It's a tough loss for us, but we're going to use it as motivation to continue preparing for Florida. The guys are excited to get back to work."
 
The Billikens opened the match by winning the doubles point and taking a 1-0 lead.
 
Mason knotted up the score quickly, as senior Rithik Sarana dominated in his match at No. 2 singles vs. Theo Ortis. Sardana took the first set, 6-2, then swept the second, 6-0, to post his second dual win of the campaign.
 
SLU won the No. 1 singles point to go up 2-1, but Mason again evened the score after a strong performance from freshman Monil Lotlikar. The Bangalore, India, product won in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) against Adam Behun.
 
A victory at No. 4 put Saint Louis back up one (3-2), but Mason continued to push back. Freshman Zavan Fahim won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, at No. 6, to tie it up at 3-3 and send the decision to the fifth position.
 
At No. 5, Pedraza lost his first set, 6-4, but rallied to win the second by the same margin (6-4). He came up just short in the super tiebreaker.
 
The Patriots continue play in PTR Springfest on Thursday (Mar. 16) with a 9 a.m. contest against Auburn Montgomery.