CHARLESTON, S.C. – A dominating performance from end-to-end saw Fairfield University men's tennis take down George Mason, 6-1 in the Stags' final non-conference match of the year.
"It was nice to get back in the win column today," said Head Coach Jeff Bricker. "There are a lot of positives for us to take out of this trip overall, and a victory today is the kickstart we need going into league play next week."
The Patriots captured the No. 2 doubles match to open the match before Charlie Morkel and Stefan Mitrovic earned a 6-3 victory in the No. 3 duel to put the teams at a deadlock in the round. Jonathan Olive-Blanco and Keean Shah would team up in the top doubles flight for the Fairfield, winning 6-4 to secure the doubles point.
This week's MAAC Player of the Week, Kaya Gore kicked off singles play in impressive fashion, giving up just two games en route to a 6-0, 6-2 win in the topflight, his 14th solo win of the year in 17 contests. Sam Hodges went back and forth with his opponent in the No. 3 match, with the Fairfield senior taking the first set in a 10-7 tiebreak, and the second set 7-5, his 14th victory of the season as well to keep pace with Gore for the most solo wins on the team.
Continuing in singles play, Olive Blanco completed a sweep of the day at No. 4 singles, taking the duel in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, his second singles win of the year. Griffin Schlesinger dominated at No. 5 singles, winning 12 of the 15 games played in a 6-0, 6-3 victory, and Will O'Brien rounded out the day for the Stags with a three-set victory in the No. 6 spot, 6-4, 1-6. 1-0 (12-10).
Fairfield men's tennis is back in action next Saturday, Mar. 26 when they head to New Jersey to take on Monmouth to open MAAC play.
