Fairfax, Va. – In a match tailor-made for night owls, the George Mason women's tennis team earned a commanding 4-0 victory over Atlantic 10 rival Saint Louis. Originally scheduled outdoors, the match was moved indoors to the Burke Racquet & Swim Club due to inclement weather. Play began at 8:30 p.m. and concluded at 12:45 a.m. when Mason clinched the win.
The Patriots struck first by claiming the doubles point with thrilling wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. Mary Young and Brooklyn Siegel edged Angelina Joao and Fiorella Duran 7-6 (7-3) in a tiebreaker, while Cenan Liu and Lauren Splett followed shortly after with a 7-6 (7-5) tiebreak win over Emmerson White and Madison Hill.
Carrying the momentum into singles play, Noelle Talarek delivered a swift 6-1, 6-2 victory over Angelina Joao. Senior captain Lauren Splett extended the lead to 3-0 with a 6-2, 6-3 win against Elizabeth Choate.
Freshman Maya Bayat sealed the match for the Patriots in a gritty battle full of extended rallies. After dropping to a 1-4 deficit in the second set, Bayat stormed back to defeat Lizzie Barlow 6-3, 6-4, securing Mason's first A-10 win of the season.
"I am so proud of this total team win tonight," said Head Coach Steve Curtis. "We're finally playing with the controlled aggression and fearlessness we've been aiming for. This was a huge win for this young team."
The Patriots return to action on Sunday to face another A-10 opponent, Saint Joseph's. The match, rescheduled from April 6, will begin at 11 a.m. and will take place at the George Mason Tennis Complex.
4/10/25 George Mason 4, Saint Louis 0
Doubles
1.
Cenan Liu/
Lauren Splett (GM) def. Emmerson White/Madison Hill (SLU), 7-6 (5)
2.
Mary Young/
Brooklyn Siegel (GM) def. Angelina Joao/Fiorella Duran (SLU), 7-6 (3)
3. Elizabeth Choate/Lizzie Barlow (SLU) def.
Maya Bayat/
Lakshya Motam (GM), 6-4
Singles
1.
Cenan Liu (GM) vs Emmerson White (SLU), 3-6, 7-6 (8), dnf
2.
Mary Young (GM) vs Madison Hill (SLU), 4-4, dnf
3. Maitree Rout (GM) vs Fiorella Duran (SLU), 2-2, dnf
4.
Maya Bayat (GM) def. Lizzie Barlow (SLU), 6-3, 6-4
5.
Noelle Talarek (GM) def. Angelina Joao (SLU), 6-1, 6-2
6.
Lauren Splett (GM) def Elizabeth Choate (SLU), 6-2, 6-3
