NORFOLK, Va.- The Folkes/Stevens Indoor Tennis Facility was a busy place for tennis on Sunday, as both the Monarchs and Lady Monarchs played host to the James Madison University Dukes. Old Dominion University Men's Tennis defeated the Dukes 4-3.
"It is always good to get a tough win, especially against a conference opponent. We do, however, need to improve going forward," head coach Aljosa Piric said on the outcome of the match. "As a team we need to do a better job staying mentally engaged, staying disciplined, and doing what we tell ourselves to do. We will practice working on some of these things and will be ready to compete this weekend against UMBC, Georgetown, and St. Francis."
Starting off at doubles play Krzysztof Muzalewski and Wesley Barrett used good teamwork and communication to fend off Ryan Pool and Florent Sentenac, 8-6. Albert Ochagavia and Can Cetinel battled hard but fell to Betrand Moulin and Greg Vladimirsky 8-6. With doubles split so far, the battle for the team point came down to the matchup of Carlos Lopez-Villa and Alfredo Rodriguez against Tommi Nissinen and Hugo Ramadier. Using some big shots and some hustle play, the team of Lopez-Villa and Rodriguez won the match 8-6.
Amidst a 1-0 lead, Fahoum Fahoum and Krzysztof Muzalewski lost in straight sets to Hugo Ramadier and Greg Vladimirsky (6-3, 6-2) and (6-4, 6-4) respectively. Trailing 2-1 in team score, Carlos Lopez- Villa smashed an ace down the "t" to win in straight sets over Betrand Moulin 7-6 (7-4), 6-1. Moments later Ochagavia crushed a shot to the corner of the center service line and sideline to win his match in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, (7-5) and put the Monarchs back in the lead 3-2.
Wesley Barrett topped Tommi Nissinen in straight sets 6-1, 6-0, to secure the team victory. Rodriguez was unable to finish off the day, as he lost a tough three setter to Florent Sentenac 3-6, 6-4, (10-6).
The victory bolsters the Monarchs record to 3-4 and it was also their first win in Colonial Athletic Association match play.
Old Dominion University will take on University of Maryland-Baltimore County on February 18, at 9 AM and then Georgetown at 3 PM at Folkes/Stevens.
ODU 4JMU 3
Doubles:
Betrand Moulin/ Greg Vladimirsky over Albert Ochagavia/ Can Cetinel, 8-6
Krzysztof Muzalewski/ Wesley Barrett over Ryan Pool/ Florent Sentenac, 8-6
Carlos Lopez-Villa/ Alfredo Rodriguez over Tommi Nissinen/ Hugo Ramadier, 8-6
Singles:
Greg Vladimirsky over Krzysztof Muzalewski, 6-4, 6-4
Albert Ochagavia over Ryan Pool, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
Carlos Lopez-Villa over Betrand Moulin, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
Hugo Ramadier over Fahoum Fahoum, 6-3, 6-2
Wesley Barrett over Tommi Nissinen, 6-1, 6-0
Florent Sentenac over Alfredo Rodriguez, 3-6, 6-4 (10-6)
Order of Finish
Doubles: 2, 1, 3
Singles: 4, 3, 1, 2, 5, 6