FAIRFAX, Va. — October 10, 2026 — The Delaware State University women's tennis team competed at the George Mason Invitational, held October 10-11 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, facing Mount St. Mary's University and George Washington University.
The Hornets battled throughout their matchups against Mount St. Mary's, pushing four singles matches to third-set 10-point tiebreakers. Freshman Celia Torrelles Aguila led the way with a hard-fought victory, prevailing 14-12 in the deciding tiebreaker after dropping the opening set, fighting back to defeat Mount St. Mary's No. 1 Singles player Margherita Trolese, 2-6, 6-4, 14-12, showcasing determination and composure in a tightly contested match.
Delaware State continued to battle across the singles lineup, with sophomore Alba Benedito, sophomore Maite Bou Safont and freshman Ailyn Leon each taking their opponents to a deciding tiebreaker. Benedito fell to Eirini Tsakiri, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7, while Bou Safont narrowly dropped a three-set contest to Anna Barlini Pischedda, 7-5, 3-6, 10-7. Leon also pushed her match to the limit before falling to Emma Perkins, 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 10-7.
Against George Washington, Bou Safont delivered another strong performance, earning a straight-set victory over Allison Snyder, 6-4, 6-1. Sophomore Audrey Yvana Mengue and sophomore Kayla Wright also competed in singles action.
In doubles play against Mount St. Mary's, the Hornets featured the pairings of sophomore Maite Bou Safont and junior Kamora Helton, sophomores Alba Benedito and Audrey Yvana Mengue, and freshmen Celia Torrelles Aguila and Ailyn Leon. Helton and Bou Safont pushed their opponents before eventually falling 7-5. Although Delaware State came up short in the three doubles matches, the weekend provided valuable competitive experience for the lineup.
The George Mason Invitational offered the Hornets another opportunity to test themselves against regional competition, with close matches and hard-fought points highlighting the team's continued work on the court.
The Hornets will look to build on the experience gained in Fairfax as they head to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA next weekend for the ITA Regional Tournament.
Results:
Singles:
Eirini Tsakiri (Mount St. Mary) def. Sophomore Alba Benedito (Delaware State) 4-6, 6-1, 10-7
Freshman Celia Torrelles Aguila (Delaware State) def. Margherita Trolese (Mount St. Mary) 2-6, 6-4, 14-12
Kaajal Ramisetty (Mount St. Mary) def. Sophomore Kayla Wright (Delaware State) 6-4, 6-2
Anna Barlini Pischedda (Mount St. Mary) def. Sophomore Maite Bou Safont (Delaware State) 7-5, 3-6, 10-7
Emma Perkins (Mount St. Mary) def. Freshman Ailyn Leon (Delaware State) 6-7(6), 7-6(5), 10-7
Devika Manu (George Washington) def. Sophomore Audrey Yvana Mengue (Delaware State) 6-0, 6-3
Sophomore Maite Bou Safont (Delaware State) def. Allison Snyder (George Washington) 6-4, 6-1
Lazier Talipova (George Washington) def. Kayla Wright 6-0, 6-2
Doubles:
Eirini Tsakiri/Anya Rosenbach (Mount St. Mary) def. (Sophomore) Maite Bou Safont/(Junior) Kamora Helton (Delaware State) 7-5
Emma Perkins/Anna Barlini (Mount St. Mary) def. (Sophomore) Alba Benedito/ (Sophomore) Audrey Yvana Mengue (Delaware State) 6-2
Margherita Trolese/Venus Tang (Mount St. Mary) def. (Freshman) Celia Torrelles Aguila/ (Freshman) Ailyn Leon (Delaware State) 6-2
