NORFOLK, Va. - It was Senior Day today at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center, and Old Dominion’s two seniors Melissa Esnal Olguin and Nika Khmolovska ended up stealing the show. Emotions were high, as ODU head coach Dom Manilla honored his two seniors before the match.
It all started in doubles when Manilla paired his two seniors for the first time this season and had them play on court No. 1. Olguin and Khmolovska showed their experience, making quick work of Morgan State’s Jasmine Edwards and Ekaterina Iakovleva (8-1). On the opposite side of the spectrum, the freshman doubles team of Ingrid Vojcinakova and Marijana Novakovic took care of Arina Alilueva and Margarita Belyakova (8-2). Also the No. 3 doubles team of Nikol Hristova and Faith Atiso were winning their match against Cierra Plummer and Chelsi Russell when Old Dominion clinched the doubles point.
In singles, Khmolovska was the first to finish and dominated her opponent Tiffany Hughes (6-0,6-0), not giving up a game the whole match. Her last win at home was her 35th win at Old Dominion over her four years. She also improves to 8-6 on the season.
Senior counterpart Esnal Olguin, started in the No. 4 position for the first time this season and delivered for the Lady Monarchs. She earned her 9th win of the season against Cierra Plummer (6-2, 6-1). Olguin finishes her last home match with a singles record of 40-27.
Again the Lady Monarchs’ youth, also proved to be too much for the Bears of Morgan State. At No.1 Sophomore Nikol Hristova won her 5th match in a row against Chelsi Russell (6-1, 6-0) to improve to 11-4.
Freshman Ingrid Vojcinakova played well against her opponent Arina Alilueva (6-2, 6-2) and also captured her 11th win of the season.
Marijana Novakovic won the first set but then quickly gave up the second set to force a third game tiebreaker. Novakovic ultimately prevailed winning the third set against Margarita Belyakova (6-1, 2-6, (10-1)).
Ivanna Vukovic only gave up one game on her road to victory against her opponent Jasmine Edwards (6-1, 6-0).
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
The Lady Monarchs will be back in action tomorrow at 4:00 against rival VCU in Richmond, Va.
RESULTS
Old Dominion: 7 Morgan State: 0
Doubles
1. Ingrid Vojcinakova/Marijana Novakovic (ODU) d. Arina Alilueva/Margarita Belyakova (MSU) 8-2
2. Melissa Esnal Olguin/Nika Khmolovska (ODU) d. Jasmine Edwards/Ekaterina Lakovleva (MSU) 8-1
3. Nikol Hristova/Faith Atiso (ODU) dnf. Cierra Plummer/Chelsi Russell (MSU) 7-4
Singles
1. Nikol Hristova (ODU) d. Chelsi Russell (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
2. Ingrid Vojcinakova (ODU) d. Arina Alilueva (MSU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Marijana Novakovic (ODU) d. Margarita Belyakova (MSU) 6-1, 2-6, 10-1
4. Melissa Esnal Olguin (ODU) d. Cierra Plummer (MSU) 6-2, 6-1
5. Ivana Vukovic (ODU) d. Jasmine Edwards (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Nika Khmolovska (ODU) d. Tiffany Hughes (MSU) 6-0 6-0
DON’T FORGET THAT THE C-USA WOMEN’S TENNIS TOURNAMENT IS AT ODU – APRIL 16-20!
The Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center will be hosting Old Dominion’s first ever Conference USA Championship event on April 16-20, when the C-USA Women’s Tennis Tournament will take place. DON’T MISS OUT on your chance to watch some of the country’s top tennis talent on display in Norfolk, Va. FOR FREE!
MORE INFO ON 2014 C-USA TOURNAMENT: Conference USA Women’s Tennis Championship Central Page
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