Rams dominate in double-header

Kyler Gilliam, Contributing Writer

The VCU women’s tennis team had a dominant day, winning both of their matches against the North Carolina Central University Eagles and George Mason University Patriots in a doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 26.

The two victories put VCU’s spring season record at 4-0 and it is their third straight win where they have swept the opposing team, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU head coach Vivian Segnini praised the team’s consistency during this dominant run.

“Every day when they come here, to fight and to have a good attitude and have that consistency, and I think the results are showing that they are able to do it,” Segnini said.

The day started off with a match against NCCU where the Rams won all three doubles matches.

The first doubles match to conclude was a match between VCU third-year Anja Draskovic and first-year Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando and NCCU fourth-year Isabelle Exsted and first-year Maria Gabriela Mejia Arenas, which saw a 6-1 victory for the Rams, according to VCU Athletics.

Draskovic stressed how integral it is to build connection and chemistry for double matches with a young team.

“Most of the girls are new and freshman, so it’s really important just to get that connection, especially during doubles,” Draskovic said.

VCU third-year Yelizaveta Karlova and second-year Emma Valletta defeated NCCU third-year Kennedy Hill and second-year Candice Bernier 6-2 to clinch the doubles point for VCU, according to VCU Athletics.

The last doubles match to conclude was when VCU first-years Tiziana Rossini and Emma Rizzetto beat NCCU second-year Alejandra Hidalgo Vega and first-year Patricia Palencia 5-3, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams were up 1-0 in the overall score before the singles matches started.

Rizzetto claimed victory in the first match to conclude when she defeated Palencia 6-2 in both sets, according to VCU Athletics.

The second match to conclude saw Rossini defeat Exsted 6-0 in the first set and 6-2 in the second set, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU’s fourth overall point and win was clinched by Valletta when she defeated Hill 6-1 in the first set and 6-2 in the second, according to VCU Athletics.

Draskovic then defeated Bernier in the fifth match to conclude, winning both sets 6-4, according to VCU Athletics.

Karlova defeated Hidalgo Vega 6-3 in the first set and 7-6 (4) in the second, according to VCU Athletics.

The last single match to conclude was between VCU first-year Mariam Ibrahim and Mejia Arenas, which saw the first-year winning both sets 6-2, according to VCU Athletics.

VCU won their first match against NCCU 7-0, according to VCU Athletics.

Segnini said she felt like her team was prepared for this double header due to their practice regime.

“They’re used to practicing a lot and playing a lot of matches, so this was not new for them,” Segnini said.

VCU’s second match of the day came against GMU at 6 p.m. This was the team’s first action against an A-10 opponent in the spring season.

The Rams started off hot, winning all of their double matches against the Patriots.

The first double match to conclude was the team of Ibrahim and Draskovic defeating the team of GMU third-year Dana Edson and first-year Cenan Liu 6-0, according to VCU Athletics.

The second match to conclude was between the team of Rossini and Rizzetto battling the team of GMU third-year Lauren Splett and first-year Brooklyn Siegel. The first-year duo would win the set 6-0, clinching the doubles point for VCU, according to VCU Athletics.

Karlova and Valletta defeated GMU fourth-years Emily Wirt and Jenin Alasadi 6-4 in the last doubles match to conclude, according to VCU Athletics.

Karlova defeated Wirt in two straight 6-0 sets to give VCU’s first singles point, capping off an impressive day for the reigning A-10 performer of the week, according to VCU Athletics.

Karlova is trying to handle the expectations of receiving an award like that.

“Big expectations from everyone, but I’m just trying to stay there, stay focused and enjoy the game,” said Karlova.

Draskovic then defeated GMU graduate student Ruju Chauhan 6-1 in both sets, according to VCU Athletics.

Segnini was prevalent during Draskovic’s single match, and the third-year said she knows how important it is to have her coach’s support.

“I like just to get support during my matches,” Draskovic said. “She shows that somebody is there to support you after every point and just to make sure that you’re focused.”

The third singles match to conclude saw Ibrahim defeat Edson 6-1 in the first set and 6-2 in the second set. Her victory clinched the win for the Rams, putting the team up 4-0 in the overall score, according to VCU athletics.

Valletta gained another point for the Rams in her victory against Liu, defeating her 6-1 in the first set and 6-3 in the second set, according to VCU athletics.

Rizzetto then defeated Splett 6-0 in the first set and 6-1 in the second set clinching VCU’s last official point. The final official score was 6-0, according to VCU athletics.

Rossini played a one-set unofficial match against GMU second-year Maitree Diksha Rout, Rossini would win the match 6-3 with all of the support of her teammates watching on.

Even though this team is accumulated from talent across the world, the team connection is strong and is recognized by the players, according to Karlova.

“We never knew each other before, it’s just crazy that we bonded this well,” said Karlova.

VCU won every set they played on the 26th, and a total of six sets ended in a 6-0 victory, according to VCU Athletics.

The Rams’ next match will be on the road against the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 11 a.m.