Feb. 26, 2008

Fairfax, Va. The George Mason women's tennis team struggled over the weekend falling to Pittsburgh and Duquesne. The Lady Netters were defeated by Pittsburgh on Saturday and Duquesne on Sunday, both by team scores of 7-0.

Mason struggled to get through illnesses and injuries all weekend. Stephanie Longueria was forced to sit out because of the flu and Sarah Dieffenbach and Meredith Cutchin were hindered by injuries. On Saturday, Pittsburgh was able to win all singles matches in two sets. Stacey Berlinger played very hard at the No. 2 spot for Mason though, before Sabrina Visram defeated her 6-4, 6-4. Visram picked up her second victory of the day in doubles play as she and her partner Christine D'Achille defeated Mason's No. 2 doubles team of Julia Moscato and Alicia Van Zandt.

The Lady Netters faced a similar fate on Sunday against Duquesne. Cutchin was forced to retire with the score 3-2 in her favor at the No. 5 position against Duquense's Sailor. Mason was defeated in all other singles matches in two sets. Lindsay Gray and Berlinger gave a strong showing at the No. 1 doubles position against Bezjak and McGowan before being downed by a scored of 8-4.

"It was a rough weekend with injuries, illness and two losses. This was one of those instances that can show the character of a team. I am confident this young team will use it to get mentally stronger," said Coach Curtis at the end of the weekend. Mason will host its first home match of the season this Saturday at 1 p.m. as George Washington travels to Fairfax to face the Lady Netters. Mason will also host Albany on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Pitt 7 Mason 0
Doubles
1) Lindsay Gray/Stacey Berlinger lost 2-8 to Kristy Borza/Elizabeth Addams
2) Julia Moscato/Alicia Van Zandt lost 3-8 to Sabrina Visram/Christie D'Achille
3) Sarah Dieffenbach/Meredith Cutchin lost 3-8 to Leah Friedman/Carlie Smith
Singles
1) Lindsay Gray lost 3-6, 3-6 to Borza
2) Stacey Berlinger lost 4-6, 4-6 to Visram
3) Sarah Dieffenbach lost 0-6, 1-6 to Addams
4) Julia Moscato lost 4-6, 3-6 to D'Achille
5) Aryn Christman lost 1-6, 1-6 to Carlie Smith
6) Meredith Cutchin lost 2-6, 6-7 (5) to Friedman
Duquesne 7 Mason 0
Doubles
1) Lindsay Gray/Stacey Berlinger lost 4-8 to Bezjak/McGowan
2) Julia Moscato/Alicia Van Zandt lost 1-8 to Williams/Poole
3) Sarah Dieffenbach/Meredith Cutchin lost 0-8 to Alband/Sailer
Singles
1) Lindsay Gray lost 1-6, 4-6 to Z. Williams
2) Stacey Berlinger lost 0-6, 1-6 to J. Bezjak
3) Julia Moscato lost 1-6, 0-6 to R. McGowan
4) Aryn Christman lost 0-6, 4-6 to B. Poole
5) Meredith Cutchin retired (injury) at 3-2 to A. Sailer
6) Alicia Van Zandt lost 2-6, 1-6 to K. Swenson