VCU women perfect at home in 4×1 Invitational

Similar to the tennis balls passing over the net, six teams saw the chance of raising their own ranking by upsetting 49th-ranked Virginia Commonwealth University pass them by.

The women’s tennis team hosted the nine-team tournament, 4×1 Invitational at the Thalhimer Tennis Center, where they dominated the competition. The tournament’s participants were Campbell University, Drexel University, East Carolina University, George Mason University, Georgetown University, Norfolk State University, Winthrop University, Longwood University and VCU.

Matches ending at 5-0 in favor of the Rams were more common place than out of place, as the strongest team on paper proved it on the six courts of the tournament.

“We are playing as well as we expected to play. We are beating teams we should beat if we play well,” coach Paul Kostin said.

The Rams were correct to expect six wins, sweeping the first five matches with one more to go.

But none of the opposing teams from Drexel, Longwood, ECU, Georgetown, George Mason and 71st-ranked Winthrop were looking past VCU, as the Rams’ focus was evident by not just winning every team match-up but every individual match as well.

“You have to approach every match like it’s a tough match,” Kostin said. “If the girls play the way they should, we should win all the matches.”

Campbell University also showed a strong performance by winning all of their match-ups, leaving the invitational with three victories.

The Rams’ rackets gave ECU their lone loss. ECU shut out Drexel and Georgetown but dropped one match to George Mason.

Winthrop University seemingly came primarily to test their strength, with its 5-0 loss to the Rams being the Eagles’ only match.

Though the Rams took every match seriously, Kostin said, this invitational was a good tune up tournament for an upcoming match with the 16th-ranked Clemson Tigers.

Assistant coach Yana Carollo said that while players were focused on the invitational, the coaching staff was ready for the Tigers.

“We (are) looking forward to Clemson, and they’re 16th in the country, so it is an opportunity for us to get a higher ranking,” she said.

Kostin acknowledges that the Tigers are a good team, but he has strong confidence in this Rams team.

“I think we can play with anyone in the country. On any given day (you) see who wins some of the tough matches,” he said.

The Rams’ five 5-0 victories come on the heels of the men’s six 5-0 victories in the 4×1 Invitational.