Fredericksburg, Va. – George Mason men's tennis earned critical singles victories to secure 4-3 win over Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va.
 
The Patriots traveled to Fredericksburg, Va., for a mid-day Saturday match-up against the University of Mary Washington, where the Green and Gold edged the Eagles, 4-3.

In doubles play, the Eagles dominated all matches. Mary Washington's Jack Riordan and Ryan Gipner opened the day with a 6-3 win over senior Monil Lotlikar and Zavan Fahim at No. 3. At No. 1, Mary Washington's Trevor Rein and Asher Willenborg defeated George Mason's Niza Simunyola and Edgar Vilain, while Evan Fisher and Ryan Battaglia clinched the doubles point for the Eagles with a 7-6(4) victory over Shari Saeed and Deniz Okyay 7-6(4) at No. 2.

The Patriots mounted a strong comeback in singles play. Lotlikar picked up the Patriots' first victory of the day at No. 2 with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Rein. Vilain dropped his match against Fisher at No. 4 6-2, 7-5 but Okyay answered defeating Willenborg 6-4, 6-2 at No. 1. George Mason continued to soar in singles as Saeed earned a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory against Copper Lehman at No. 6 before Simunyola dropped a tight match at No. 3 against Riordan 7-6(1), 5-7, 6-3. Freshman Adria Franco clinched the win for the Patriots after a key 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-3 victory against Battaglia.
 
George Mason 4, Mary Washington 3
Doubles competition
1. Trevor Rein/Asher Willenborg (UMW) def. Niza Simunyola/Edgar Vilain (GMU) 7-5
2. Evan Fisher/Ryan Battaglia (UMW) def. Shari Saeed/Deniz Okyay (GMU) 7-6 (4)
3. Jack Riordan/Ryan Gipner (UMW) def. Monil Lotlikar/Zavan Fahim (GMU) 6-3
 
Singles competition
1. Deniz Okyay (GMU) def. Asher Willenborg (UMW) 6-4, 6-2
2. Monil Lotlikar (GMU) def. Trevor Rein (UMW) 6-2, 6-2
3. Jack Riordan (UMW) def. Niza Simunyola (GMU) 7-6 (1), 5-7, 6-3
4. Evan Fisher (UMW) def. Edgar Vilain (GMU) 6-2, 7-5
5. Adria Franco (GMU) def. Ryan Battaglia (UMW) 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-3
6. Shari Saeed (GMU) def. Cooper Lehman (UMW) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (2,4,1,6,3,5)
 
Up Next
The Patriots host Howard at BRSC on Saturday, February 14 a 6:45 p.m.