BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Old Dominion men's tennis team (0-5) fell to Virginia Tech (1-1) by a 4-3 score on Tuesday afternoon at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center.
The Monarchs struck first after securing the doubles point with wins from Jannik Giesse/Younes Lalami (6-4) and No. 25 Luca Maldoner/Nicola Vidal (6-4).
Maldoner extended ODU's lead to 2-0 after cruising to a 6-4, 6-0 straight set victory in No. 1 singles; however, VT would score four unanswered team points to secure the win. Tomislav Podvinski picked up a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 victory in No. 2 singles to make the final score 4-3 on Tuesday afternoon in Blacksburg.
"I am super proud of the guys with how they responded after a tough match yesterday," said ODU head coach Dominik Mueller. "We played the best match of the road trip at the end and had Virginia Tech on its heels. Losing 4-3 is always tough, but the progress was impressive today. We won two out of three doubles points this road trip, so we feel like we are definitely going in the right direction there."
In Virginia Tech's season opener, the Hokies fell to No. 2 nationally ranked North Carolina by a 4-3 score.
Old Dominion will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 13 at 10:00 a.m. for the Monarchs home opener against Norfolk State at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.
Tennis Match Results
Old Dominion vs Virginia Tech
Feb 02, 2021 at Blacksburg, Va.
(Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center)
Virginia Tech 4, Old Dominion 3
Singles competition
1. Luca Maldoner (ODU) def. Carlo Donato (VT) 6-4, 6-0
2. Tomislav Podvinski (ODU) def. Matthis Ross (VT) 6-7, 7-6, 6-4
3. Alex Ribeiro (VT) def. Younes Lalami (ODU) 6-4, 6-2
4. Hugo Maia (VT) def. Nicola Vidal (ODU) 6-1, 7-5
5. Alvaro Ariza (VT) def. Pearse Dolan (ODU) 7-6, 6-2
6. Ryan Fishback (VT) def. Jannik Giesse (ODU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #25 Luca Maldoner/Nicola Vidal (ODU) def. Jordan Chrysostom/Alex Ribeiro (VT) 6-4
2. Younes Lalami/Jannik Giesse (ODU) def. Ryan Kros/Carlo Donato (VT) 6-4
3. Matthis Ross/Mitch Harper (VT) def. Tomislav Podvinski/Pearse Dolan (ODU) 6-3
Match Notes:
Old Dominion 0-5
Virginia Tech 1-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (1,3,4,5,6,2)
Tennis Monarchs Fall at Virginia Tech, 4-3
