Burke, Va. – The George Mason men's tennis team delivered an outstanding weekend at home, sweeping Howard 7–0 on Saturday before securing a 6-1 victory over Villanova.
 
George Mason vs. Howard
The Patriots opened the afternoon by taking two of the three doubles courts to capture the opening point. At No. 2, graduate student Niza Simunyola and Freshman Edgar Vilain powered to a 6–1 win over Marcus Weekes and Nathan Bermeo, while the No. 3 duo of Shari Saeed and Deniz Okyay followed with a convincing 6–2 victory. Howard claimed the No. 1 doubles match, but Mason's back-to-back wins on courts two and three secured them the doubles point.

In singles play, the Patriots completely took control, winning all matches. At the top spot, Okyay outlasted Michael Major Jr. in a tight second set, earning a 6–4, 7–6(10–1) victory. Senior Monil Lotlikar followed with another gritty performance at No. 2, posting a 7–6(10–6), 7–5 win over Kamran McIntosh-Ross. Vilain extended the lead behind a steady 6–2, 6–3 result at No. 3, while freshman Adria Franco delivered a decisive performance with a 6–3, 6–0 win at No. 4. Saeed added a 7–6(10–3), 6–2 victory at No. 5, and senior Zavan Fahim closed out Mason's sweep in his match with a 6–0, 6–4 win on court six.
 
George Mason 7, Howard 0
Singles competition
1. Deniz Okyay (GMU) def. Michael Major Jr (HOW) 6-4, 7-6 (10-1)
2. Monil Lotlikar (GMU) def. Kamran McIntosh-Ross (HOW) 7-6 (10-6), 7-5
3. Edgar Vilain (GMU) def. Marcus Weekes (HOW) 6-2, 6-3
4. Adria Franco (GMU) def. Kendrick Lash (HOW) 6-3, 6-0
5. Shari Saeed (GMU) def. Shawn Mitchell Yon (HOW) 7-6 (10-3), 6-2
6. Zavan Fahim (GMU) def. Alexandar Monagan (HOW) 6-0, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Michael Major Jr/Kamran McIntosh-Ross (HOW) def. Ekansh Kumar/Monil Lotlikar (GMU) 6-2
2. Niza Simunyola/Edgar Vilain (GMU) def. Marcus Weekes/Nathan Bermeo (HOW) 6-1
3. Shari Saeed/Deniz Okyay (GMU) def. Alexandar Monagan/Kendrick Lash (HOW) 6-2
 
George Mason vs. Villanova

George Mason University men's tennis team carried its momentum into its second match of the week, earning a strong 6–1 win over Villanova on Sunday.

The Patriots set the tone early with a doubles sweep. At No. 1, Ekansh Kumar and Lotlikar secured a 6–4 victory over Cooper Gordon and Ethan Carr, while Vilain and Simunyola followed with a composed 6–3 win at No. 2. At No. 3, Okyay and Saeed battled through a competitive set before claiming a 7–6(7–3) win to deliver Mason a 1–0 match lead.

In singles play, the Patriots continued their strong form. At No. 1, Okyay staged an impressive comeback, rallying for a 4–6, 6–3, 11–9 win over Gordon. Lotlikar delivered a dominant performance, posting a 6–2, 6–0 victory at No. 2, while Kumar added a 6–2, 6–3 win at No. 3. Villanova earned its lone point at No. 4, where Carr defeated Simunyola in a tight 7–6(7–5), 6–4 decision.

After clinching the overall match victory, the remaining matches went to 8-game pro sets. Vilain captured an 8–6 win over Kush Anand at No. 5, and Franco finished his match, edging Cameron Kruep 9–8(9–7) at No. 6.
 
George Mason 6, Villanova 1
 
Singles competition
1. Deniz Okyay (GMU) def. Cooper Gordon (VU) 4-6, 6-3, 11-9
2. Monil Lotlikar (GMU) def. Quincy Jones (VU) 6-2, 6-0
3. Ekansh Kumar (GMU) def. Thomas Wakefield (VU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Ethan Carr (VU) def. Niza Simunyola (GMU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4
5. Edgar Vilain (GMU) def. Kush Anand (VU) 8-6
6. Adria Franco (GMU) def. Cameron Kruep (VU) 9-8 (9-7)
 
Doubles competition
1. Ekansh Kumar/Monil Lotlikar (GMU) def. Cooper Gordon/Ethan Carr (VU) 6-4
2. Edgar Vilain/Niza Simunyola (GMU) def. Kush Anand/Thomas Wakefield (VU) 6-3
3. Shari Saeed/Deniz Okyay (GMU) def. Quincy Jones/Jack Sherner (VU) 7-6 (7-3)
 
Up Next
After a short break in the schedule, the Patriots return to campus to host their first match at the Mason Tennis Complex on Wednesday, March 4 at 12 p.m.