Hayden Braun, Staff Writer
VCU women’s tennis is setting a new standard for the program.
The Rams won their second straight conference championship tournament in the Atlantic 10, marking their 10th title since 2013.
The Rams finished the regular season 14-10 while being 5-0 in conference play. VCU carried that flawless mindset into the conference tournament and defeated Fordham University 4-3 in a close contest.
The matchup between VCU and Fordham was a mostly even matchup boasting similar records with both teams being unbeaten in conference play.
VCU striked early securing the doubles point before battling back late in singles play. With the match tied 3-3, second-year Andrea Magallanes clinched the championship with a comeback three-set victory, sealing the title for the Rams.
The win highlights a season built on a strong lineup and consistent performances across both singles and doubles play.
In singles play, VCU posted a 98-66 overall record, including a 15-2 mark in conference matches and a .882 winning percentage, according to VCU Athletics.
Multiple players stood out this season for VCU. Magallanes finished 17-7 overall and remained perfect in conference singles play and first-year Viktoria Lackova finished the season with an 11-2 conference record. Both third-year Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando and Magallanes finished the season on an eight-match winning streak.
Doubles play also had key contributions this season towards VCU’s success. The Rams put together a 50-32 overall doubles record and went undefeated in conference doubles competition (10-0), consistently putting themselves in position to come out on top.
The pairing of Magallanes and second-year Sofia Jane Thorne led the way with a 17-7 record, including a perfect 5-0 record in conference play, while second-year Sara Alba and Lackova boasted a 12-9 record going 3-0 in conference play adding key wins throughout the season.
That ability to consistently secure the doubles point played a major role in the championship match as well. Against Fordham, VCU took control early before relying on its playmakers in singles to close out the match. Even after falling behind late, the Rams showed resilience — a theme that defined the season.
The back-to-back championships further reinforce VCU’s position as one of the A-10’s premier programs. The Rams have now won six conference titles in the past eight seasons, continuing a stretch of sustained success that has become the standard for the program.
Now the Rams’ focus shifts to the national stage.
VCU will play No. 15 Duke University in the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Tennis Championship bracket, where the Rams will look to carry their momentum into postseason competition.
With back-to-back titles, a flawless conference record and a proven ability to perform in high-pressure moments, VCU enters the NCAA Tournament as a team capable of making noise.