LYNCHBURG, Va. – After winning four consecutive matches all in straight sets and advancing to the Semifinals of the 2015 ITA Regional Championships, Old Dominion freshman Nataliya Vlasova fell in a heart-breaking three-setter to Virginia Tech’s No. 13 seeded Caroline Dexhelet (7-6(1), 5-7, 6-0).
In the semifinals, VT's Daxhelet edged out a 7-6(1) victory in the first set before Vlasova took her down in the second (7-5) to set up a decisive third set. Daxhelet ultimately won the third set, claiming the match and a spot in Monday’s championship.
Vlasova Off To A Hot Start
In September, Vlasova was named to the Tribe Invite All-Tournament Team in her first collegiate competition.
DID YOU KNOW?
Sunday marked the second straight year that an ODU freshman advanced to the ITA Regional Semifinals. In 2014, Borislava Botusharova also earned a spot in the Round of 4.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!
A total of six Lady Tennis Monarchs qualified for the 2015 ITA Atlantic Region Championships, while three ODU players advanced to the Round of 32 in the highly competitive tournament.
Nataliya Vlasova stole the show after dominating her first four matches of the tournament, claiming each victory in straight sets. In the First Round, Vlasova defeated Maryland’s Kristina Hovsepyan (6-0, 6-3) in order to advance to the Round of 32. Next, Vlasova was too much for Lolade Ogungbesan of Pittsburgh (6-2, 6-4), advancing her to the Round of 16.
In the Round of 16, Vlasova made quick work of Virginia Tech’s Katherine Butler (6-1, 6-1), placing her in the Quarterfinal Round, where she pummeled Maryland’s Ekaterina Tour (6-3, 6-3), landing the Ukraine-native in the Semifinal Round. Vlasova is slated to square-off with Virginia Tech’s Caroline Daxhelet on Sunday afternoon.
Ingrid Vojcinakova and Nikol Hristova joined teammate Vlasova in the Round of 32 before falling in their second match.
Last year at the same tournament, it was another one of Manilla’s freshman, Borislava Botusharova, who shined and advanced all the way to the Semifinals.
Atlantic Region Competing Teams Include: Virginia, Maryland, William & Mary, Virginia Commonwealth, Penn State, James Madison, Richmond, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Liberty, Radford, Temple, UMBC, Navy, George Washington, St. Joseph’s, Longwood, Duquesne, Delaware, Marshall and Norfolk State.
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