NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women’s tennis began its weekend homestand with a 4-1 win over South Alabama on Friday afternoon.
"I'm proud of the resilience we showed today," Head Coach Dominic Manilla said. "A great effort by our team to earn a hard-fought victory."
Down two players due to illness, ODU opted to have just two doubles matches played, and it kicked off with No. 1 Sofia Johnson and Victoria Matasova downing Jaguars Delien Kleinhans and Rio Maeda (6-2). To clinch the point for the Monarchs, No. 2 Lidiia Rasskouskaia and Ulyana Romanova defeated Chems Doha Zeghlouli and Kenza Elakili (6-3), putting ODU on the board first.
With only five singles matches to play, South Alabama was given a point on the sixth court. However, No. 4 Matasova gave Old Dominion the lead back after she defeated Jade Marie (6-2, 6-4). No. 1 Johnson followed suit with a win over Kleinhans (6-2, 6-1) and No. 2 Rasskouskaia claimed the match for Old Dominion after besting Maeda in a third set (3-6, 6-0, 6-4). No. 3 Romanova’s and No. 5 Markina’s matches against respective opponents Doha Zeghlouli (3-6, 7-6, 0-1) and Elakili (2-6, 6-2, 1-3) were suspended.
The Monarchs remain at home as they face off against Southern Miss on Sunday, March 23 at 10 a.m.
#41 Old Dominion 4, #60 South Alabama 1
Singles competition
- #13 Sofia Johnson (ODU) def. Delien Kleinhans (USA) 6-2, 6-1
- Lidiia Rasskouskaia (ODU) def. Rio Maeda (USA) 3-6, 6-0, 6-4
- Ulyana Romanova (ODU) vs. Chems Doha Zeghloouli (USA) 3-6, 7-6, 0-1, unfinished
- Victoria Matasova (ODU) def. Jade Marie (USA) 6-2, 6-4
- Marina Markina (ODU) vs. Kenza Elakili (USA) 2-6, 6-2, 1-3, unfinished
- No player (ODU) vs. Lara Van Der Merwe (USA), WO
Doubles competition
- SofIa Johnson and Victoria Matasova (ODU) def. Delien Kleinhans and Rio Maeda (USA) 6-2
- Lidiia Rasskouskaia and Ulyana Romanova (ODU) def. Chems Doha Zeghlouli and Kenze Elakili (USA) 6-3
- No player and no player (ODU) vs. Lara Van Der Merwe and Manal Ennaciri (USA), retired
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,1,2)