Firebids Put Division I George Mason to Test in 5-2 Loss
FAIRFAX, VA – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team earned victories at No. 1 doubles and No. 1 and 4 singles, but the Firebirds were ultimately defeated by Division I George Mason, 5-2 on Monday afternoon in the inaugural match on the new Mason tennis courts.
Mason took a quick 1-0 lead after earning the doubles point with victories at No. 3 and No. 2, but even though it did not count toward the match score because of Division I score formatting, senior Jessica Nunez (Electrical Engineering – Guayaquil, Ecuador/American School of Guayaquil) and freshman Tamara Kenia (Studio Art – Donetsk, Ukraine/Academy of Art University) gutted out an impressive, 8-5 victory at No. 1 doubles.
The Patriots went on to win the first four completed singles matches at No. 3, 5, 6 and 2 and clinch the match victory. Junior Alicia Gallard (Business Management – Blaison-Gohier, France/Shorter University) was very competitive in her No. 6 match vs. Mina Saygi, but was bested, 7-6(6), 6-1.
Nunez and sophomore Peerada Looareesuwan (Computer Science – Bangkok, Thailand/Valdosta State University) put a positive spin on the end of the match, however, with superb victories at No. 1 and 4 singles, respectively. Nunez defeated Brittany Pilkington, 6-4, 7-6(3), and Looareesuwan came from behind to beat Olivia Lacy-Thompson, 3-6, 6-4, 10-8.
UDC, ranked No. 6 in the ITA East Region poll, fell to 7-6 overall with the loss while Mason improved to 6-11.
The Firebirds will host the No. 5 ranked team in the East Region, Goldey-Beacom for Senior Day on Sunday, April 6th at 12:30 p.m. Seniors Jessica Nunez and Sofia Leon will both be honored before the match.