HILTON HEAD, S.C. --- The Tusculum College men's tennis team defeated Division I George Mason University 4-3 in its first match during the team's annual Spring Break trip Monday morning.

The Pioneers (8-0), ranked 49th in the latest ITA Division II poll, won four of the six singles matches to clinch the victory over the Patriots (2-5).

In singles action, Tim Stierle earned a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win over Joe Hill at flight one, Jonas Winkelmann beat Giuliano Buzoainu 6-4, 6-4 at flight three and Toby de Klerk downed Wesley Wong 6-4, 6-4 at flight six to help the Pioneers to a 3-2 lead.

Needing one point to clinch the match, Tusculum's Leon Seiz came through with a 7-6 (7-1), 7-5 victory over Andrew Curtis at flight five as the Pioneers remained undefeated this season.

The Patriots won two of the three doubles sets in tiebreakers to earn the single point, with the Pioneers' set win coming at flight one as Stierle and Winkelmann defeated Hill and James Lange 6-4.

Tusculum will return to action on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. against 47th-ranked Northwood University.

- TC -