Jan. 21, 2012
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Women's Tennis finished their first day of play with a 4-3 win versus Howard. The Lady Monarchs completed the doubleheader sweep as they defeated Norfolk State 7-0 earlier in the day.
Despite a gloomy day outdoors, the Lady Monarchs made some noise indoors by stifling the Howard Bison with smooth serving and teamwork.
Aleksandra Mitrovska and Nika Khmolovska started off singles play winning in straight sets for the Lady Monarchs, winning 7-5, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-4 respectively. Diana Ivanova followed with a hard fought 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 victory. Juliana Pires and Melissa Esnal Olguin fell in straight sets, while Faith Atiso dropped the final match of the day in a tough three-setter, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Old Dominion improves to 2-0 with the win and Howard drops to 0-1 on the young season.
The Lady Monarchs will travel to Richmond to take on the VCU Rams February 11, and will return home on the 12th to battle with the JMU Dukes.
Earlier in the day, ODU started the 2012 season off in grand style with a 7-0 victory over Norfolk State Saturday morning.
Diana Ivanova, Melissa Esnal Olguin, Aleksandra Mitrovska, Nika Khmolovska and Faith Atison picked up singles wins for the Lady Monarchs. Ivanova and Esnal Olguin earned a doubles win at No. 1 and Mitrovska and Khmolovska earned the win at No. 2 doubles.
ODU 7 Norfolk State 0
Doubles
1.D. Ivanova/M. Esnal-Olguin vs. Naeemah Brooks/Rebecca GraffODU8-0
2.A. Mitrovska/N. Khmolovska vs. Kia Batiste/Laura GutierrezODU8-0
SinglesWinnerScore
1.D. Ivanovavs. Naeemah BrooksODU6-0, 6-0
2.M. Esnal Olguinvs. Rebecca GraffODU6-2, 6-1
3.A. Mitrovskavs. Laura GutierrezODU6-0, 6-1
4.N. Khmolovskavs. Maryna Kariuk ODU6-0, 6-1
5.F. Atisovs. Kia Batiste ODU6-0, 6-2
ODU 4 Howard 3
Doubles
1. Ivanova/Esnal Olguin (ODU) over Stokes/Morgan (HU) 8-0
2. Mitrovska/Khmolovska (ODU) over Johnson/Ahkimen (HU) 8-4
3. Pires/Atiso (ODU) over Brown/Hawkins (HU) 8-0
Singles
1. Diana Ivanova (ODU) over Brittany Morgan (HU) 6-4, 0-6, 6-1
2. Katelyn Stokes (HU) over Juliana Pires (ODU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Brooke Hawthorne (HU) over Melissa Esnal Olguin (ODU) 6-4, 6-1
4. Aleksandra Mitrovska (ODU) over Michelle Brown (HU) 6-4, 6-1
5. Nika Khmolovska (ODU) over Talia Johnson (HU) 6-4, 6-4
6. Anne Ahkimen (HU) over Faith Atiso (ODU) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4