Women beat Maryland, men fall to Pennsylvania
Women's Tennis defeated Maryland 6-4. Photo by Jon Mirador
Nile McNair, Contributing Writer
Women’s
After losing two straight matches at the ITA National Indoor Tournament last month, Women’s Tennis has been on a winning streak.
Entering Saturday’s matchup against Maryland, VCU had won two straight matches, bringing its record to 3-2.
The Rams-Terrapins matchup began with three doubles matches. After two games, the doubles matches were tied at one apiece. The pairing of senior Anna Rasmussen and sophomore Melissa Ifidzhen had the task of winning the last doubles set for VCU.
And they did just that, with a final score of 6-4.
Despite winning, coach Paul Kostin believes the team can improve.
“I don’t think we’re playing that great yet, especially in doubles,” Kostin said. “We need to get better in doubles.”
Moving into single matches, the Rams didn’t slack off. Coming off her Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week honors, sophomore Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado performed impressively. She finished her game in just sets with scores of 6-2 and 6-3.
Ifidzhen and sophomore Kanako Yano won their singles matches to contribute to the eventual 4-0 defeat of the Terrapins.
“I know Paola finished first,” Kostin said, “but everyone played well and we could’ve won every game we played out there.”
Men’s
In the first of two back-to-back game on the road in Philadelphia, Men’s Tennis faced Pennsylvania.
During the opening doubles matches VCU looked sluggish. Pennsylvania won the first doubles matches with a score of 6-3.
The closest doubles match came from duo of senior Arvid Noren and sophomore Inigo Torre Martin against Pennsylvania’s Edoardo Graziani and Kevin Zhu.
Noren and Torre Martin edged Pennsylvania in a long 7-5 set that gave the Rams its one and only doubles win.
The six singles matches were split right down the middle. Both teams managed to walk away with three victories.
Senior Phillip Mobius’ win for the Rams proved to be ne of the more exciting singles matches. Mobius got beaten badly in the first set 1-6 and bounced back to win the final two sets and the match.
VCU ultimately fell 4-3 to Pennsylvania as the two losses in doubles decided in the match.
Women’s Tennis will host Liberty Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. and Howard Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. The men will also host Howard Feb. 17 at 10 a.m.
