Ben Martindale, Staff Writer
Men’s tennis at University of California, Irvine
VCU lost its sixth consecutive match to the University of California, Irvine 6-1. The Rams started the season 4-2 but have struggled since. UC Irvine secured the doubles point winning matches on court one and three. In singles play, UC Irvine continued its momentum, winning all but one match on the way to a 6-1 victory.
Women’s tennis at University of South Florida
VCU lost a razor-close match to the University of South Florida 4-3. The match got off to a back-and-forth start with VCU eventually securing the doubles point. In singles play, VCU third-year Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando and second-year Andrea Magallanes earned impressive victories, however it was not enough as the Rams would lose the match in the final set.
Baseball vs. La Salle University – Weekend Series
The Rams opened up Atlantic 10 conference play against the Explorers.
In the first game of the series, La Salle got on the board first getting out to an early two run lead. The Rams then bounced back, rattling off six consecutive runs en route to a convincing 6-2 victory. VCU’s earned run average now sits at 5.14, the best in the conference.
In the second game of the series VCU extended its series lead to two against La Salle. The Rams benefited from an excellent outing by fourth-year pitcher Patrick Steitz, who allowed just one hit in seven innings of pitching. The other star of the show for VCU was redshirt third-year utility Quinn Maher, who hit a home run and drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
In the third game of the series against La Salle, VCU secured the sweep, winning 8-4. The Rams got on the board first to take a 1-0 lead but La Salle bounced back and scored four runs in the third inning. After that VCU took control, rattling off seven consecutive runs. The win marks VCU’s best start to conference play in seven years and the sixth consecutive win for the Rams, who now have a record of 11-8.
Men’s tennis at Loyola Marymount University
The Rams continued to struggle, losing to Loyola Marymount 6-1. VCU lost doubles matches on courts one and two, giving the doubles point to LMU. VCU second-year Gevorg Mnatsakanyan earned the Rams’ lone point in singles play, winning 6-4. VCU has now lost seven matches in a row.
Men’s basketball A-10 conference tournament
The Rams won their second consecutive A-10 tournament over the weekend and secured their place in the NCAA tournament, where they will play No. 6 University of North Carolina.
Quarterfinal – VCU vs. Duquesne University
VCU entered the first round of the A-10 conference tournament matched up against Duquesne. The Rams came into the tournament with confidence, having won 14 of their last 15 regular season games. Duquesne got off to a quick start, leading 26-23 with four and a half minutes left. From that point, VCU took control, going on a run that gave them a 10-point halftime lead. The Rams continued to play well in the second half, never allowing Duquesne to regain the lead. The final score was VCU- 71, Duquesne- 66.
Semifinal – VCU vs. Saint Joseph’s University
VCU and Saint Joseph’s University clashed in a blowout semifinal. The Rams got to work immediately, jumping out to a massive 31-9 run in the first half. From that point VCU kept its foot on the gas, never allowing Saint Joseph’s to cut the lead to single digits. Second-year guard Terrence Hill Jr. put together an excellent performance scoring 18 points on an efficient 8-10 shooting. VCU won 77-64 to advance to its fourth consecutive A-10 championship.
Championship game – VCU vs. University of Dayton
VCU beat the University of Dayton 70-62 to win its second consecutive A-10 championship. The Rams grabbed the lead early and extended their advantage throughout the first half, going into halftime leading 40-25. Dayton slowly chipped away at the deficit in the second half, cutting the lead to seven with under two minutes remaining. VCU held on, winning the game and securing an automatic NCAA tournament bid. Standout guard Hill was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
Women’s tennis at Stetson University
VCU third-years Mariam Ibrahim and Andrade Sabando got the Rams off to a good start, winning their doubles match on court one. VCU would then lose on courts two and three, giving Stetson the doubles point. From that point on, it was all Stetson as it went on to win 6-1. The lone bright spot for the Rams came in the form of Andrade Sabando, who won her singles match 6-1 and 6-4.
Lacrosse at St. Bonaventure University
VCU jumped out to a quick start in its matchup against St. Bonaventure, scoring three times in the first half of the opening quarter. The Bonnies responded, making the score 3-1. VCU cruised from that point on, scoring eight consecutive goals. The Rams won in dominant fashion in the end, 15-6. Second-year Amelia Elibacher, second-year Anika Bennett, third-year Sam Palmer, and graduate student Molly O’Keefe each scored two goals a piece for the Rams.