The George Mason women's tennis team faced a challenging outdoor match against the formidable Fordham Rams. Despite battling windy conditions, the Patriots put up a strong fight but ultimately fell 0-4 to the Rams. The match highlighted both the challenges of playing outdoors for the first time this season and the competitive spirit of the team. Coach Steve Curtis praised his players' resilience, especially considering the gusty winds that made gameplay particularly difficult. Looking ahead, the Patriots have an exciting schedule lined up, including participation in the PTR SpringFest in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Challenging Start in Doubles Play
In the opening phase of the match, the doubles competition set the tone for what would be a tough day for the Patriots. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the team showed determination, with Mary Young and Brooklyn Siegel pushing their opponents to a tiebreaker at the second doubles position. Although they eventually lost, their performance was a highlight for the team.
The doubles matches were crucial in determining the overall outcome. Fordham secured the doubles point early on, putting pressure on the Patriots. At the first doubles position, Nevena Kolarevic and Juli Nguyen of Fordham overcame Cenan Liu and Lauren Splett with a close 7-5 victory. Meanwhile, Ava Matsunaga and Sofie Siem of Fordham dominated Maya Bayat and Lakshya Motam, winning 6-0 at the third doubles position. These results gave Fordham a significant advantage heading into singles play.
Battling Elements and Top Competition in Singles
As the singles matches unfolded, the Patriots continued to face both environmental and competitive challenges. Wind gusts reaching up to 30 miles per hour added another layer of difficulty to an already tough matchup. While the Rams secured victories in three singles positions, several Patriot players demonstrated impressive performances under pressure.
Maya Bayat stood out, leading Paola Dalmonico 6-4, 4-1 when the match was called due to Fordham securing the win. Lauren Splett also showed resilience, recovering from losing the first set to level the second set. Mary Young faced a tough opponent in Juli Nguyen, who led 6-3, 4-1 at the second singles position. Despite not finishing all matches, the Patriots displayed commendable effort, especially considering the adverse weather conditions. Coach Curtis expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing their ability to adapt to the challenges of outdoor play.
The Stonehill College women's tennis team recently faced a challenging match against Tufts University at the Gantcher Center in Medford, Massachusetts. On March 1, 2025, the Skyhawks encountered a tough defeat with a score of 1-6. Despite this setback, there were notable performances from several players, including freshman Lilah Shallcross and the duo of senior captain Anneliese Beltran and sophomore Julie Holte. The team is now gearing up for their next encounter on March 9, 2025, at the University of Massachusetts.
In a significant highlight of the match, Shallcross made a triumphant return after missing the previous game against Boston College. She secured a win in singles play by defeating Lucy Mitchell with scores of 6-1 and 6-4 on the No. 3 court. This victory was particularly impressive given her absence from the last competition.
Another standout moment came from the doubles pairing of Beltran and Holte. Competing together for the first time since February 17, they achieved an impressive 6-4 win over Melanie Woodbury and Stephanie Woodbury on the first doubles court. This marked their sixth consecutive victory as a duo this spring, showcasing their strong partnership and consistent performance.
However, the match also saw several setbacks for the Skyhawks. Julie Holte narrowly lost to Ellie Gershaw on the first singles court, while Beltran faced a tough loss to M. Woodbury on the second singles court. Additionally, Madison Warren, Arya Chabria, and Alice Brito do Rio each faced defeats in their respective singles matches. In doubles play, the teams of Warren and Brito do Rio, as well as Chabria and Shallcross, also fell short.
The order of finishes in the match included the doubles rounds followed by singles matches. With this experience under their belts, the Stonehill women's tennis team will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match at the Mullins Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Massachusetts. The team aims to build on their strengths and address areas for improvement as they continue their season.
During the 1999 Lipton Championships, now known as the Miami Open, Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, revealed his reasons for attending only a select few of his daughters' matches. Despite being instrumental in their early training, Richard chose to limit his presence at tournaments, particularly those outside the United States. He expressed concerns about the impact fathers have historically had on the sport and emphasized his focus on developing multi-million dollar businesses annually. This decision, although upsetting to his daughters, reflected his broader vision for their careers and personal development.
In a candid press conference ahead of the final match between Venus and Serena, Richard explained that he believed fathers often brought unnecessary pressure to the game. Instead of attending numerous tournaments, he prioritized running several successful business ventures each year, expecting each to generate between $10 to $15 million annually. This demanding schedule left him with little time to travel extensively for tennis events. Even when urged by his daughters, Richard remained firm in his decision to attend no more than four tournaments per year.
Richard also shared his insights into the upcoming final match between his two talented daughters. While acknowledging Serena as one of the top players on tour, he gave the edge to Venus, citing her speed, strength, and powerful shots. He stated that if Venus put her mind to winning, she would be unstoppable. Richard’s prediction proved accurate as Venus secured a hard-fought victory over Serena in the final, successfully defending her title in Miami.
The limited attendance by Richard Williams at his daughters' matches underscores his unique approach to supporting their careers. By focusing on broader strategic goals and minimizing his presence at tournaments, Richard aimed to foster independence and resilience in Venus and Serena. His belief in the negative influence of fathers on the sport and his dedication to his business ventures shaped his unconventional yet effective parenting style in the world of professional tennis.