March 8, 2005

The Patriot women's tennis team played outdoors yesterday at Howard University, battling the Bison and the darkness, but came up on the short end, losing 4-2. Mason fought hard and long with one match ending at darkness and another called because of darkness.

Mason lost the first point in doubles competition. The No. 1 team of Andreea Fusea and Maricel Ballister won their match 8-6, beating the team of Wright/Marin, and improving to 5-5 overall, 2-2 during the spring season. The other two doubles matches were won 8-6 by the Bison. Jenn Dektas and Jamie Delorie lost to Harris/Henderson and Katie Sloper and Julia Moscato lost to Towns/Blancada.

In singles competition, Mason won the No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Andreea Fusea won in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 against Kristen Harris and Dektas improved her record to 4-3 in the spring with a 7-6(7-2), 6-3 victory against Laura Marin. Maricel Ballester won the first set in her match at the No. 3 singles position, but lost 6-1 in the second set and 6-4 in the deciding set.

The Bison won the No. 4 and No. 6 singles matches and the No. 5 match was called due to darkness. Nicole Henderson defeated Jamie Delorie in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. Katie Sloper was leading 4-3 in the second set of her match, but did not finish. Marian Blancada defeated Mason's freshman Julia Moscato, 6-2, 7-6(7-5), but barely finished before darkness set in.

"We are playing better than our record indicates," remarked Coach Steve Curtis. "We are just a few points here or there from winning these close matches. We will get there!"

The Patriots travel to Coppin State for their next match on Friday.

Doubles
Fusea/Ballester (GM) d. A. Wright/L. Marin; 8-6
K. Harris/N. Henderson d. Dektas/Delorie (GM); 8-6
C. Towns/M. Blancada d. Sloper/Moscato (GM); 8-6

Singles
Andreea Fusea (GM) d. Kristen Harris; 6-1, 6-4
Aja Wright d. Maricel Ballester (GM); 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
Jenn Dektas (GM) d. Laura Marin; 7-6 (7-2), 6-3
Nicole Henderson d. Jamie Delorie (GM); 6-4, 6-2
Cecilia Towns and Katie Sloper (GM) 3-6, 4-3 called due to darkness
Marian Blancada d. Julia Moscato (GM); 6-2, 7-6(7-5)