ATLANTA, Ga. – Alexandra Viktorovich pulled out a three-set win at number four singles for the clinching point as Old Dominion knocked off Ole Miss 4-3 to win the Atlanta regional of the ITA Tennis Kickoff Weekend.
With the win, the Monarchs advance to Madison, Wisconsin to participate in the ITA Indoor Nationals for the first time in school history. The dates of the event are Feb. 11-13 at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium at the University of Wisconsin.
"Another great day for the Monarchs. That was a wild, wild ride this afternoon. I'm so proud of each and every player and coach. Let's keep this going," said ODU Head Coach Dominic Manilla.
In doubles, the Monarchs scored wins at the number two and three spots to take the team point. At number two, Marina Alcaide and Shahar Biran defeated Sabina Machalova and Rachel Krzyzak 6-1 for the first win. The tandem of Viktorovich and Alesya Yakubovich clinched the doubles point with a 7-6 (7-5) win at number three. ODU was ahead at number one with Yuliia Starodubtseva and Tatsiana Sasnouskaya up 6-5 when the team point was earned.
Singles matches saw the Monarchs win the battles of two ranked players at the top two spots. Starodubtseva, ranked 71st nationally, pulled off a three-set win over 20th-ranked Tiphanie Fiquet 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 to put ODU up 2-1. Sasnouskaya, ranked 116th, responded with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over 80th-ranked Sabina Machalova to push the advantage to 3-1.
The Rebels got wins at number six and three singles respectively to tie the match as Viktorovich was in the third set with Ludmilla Kareisova. Viktorovich, ranked 106th nationally, rallied after losing the first set to take a 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win to clinch the match.
Before heading to ITA Nationals, the Monarchs will visit Florida to tangle with the Gators on Feb. 3 and the University of Miami on Feb. 5.
Old Dominion 4, Ole Miss 3
Records: ODU 3-0, Ole Miss 3-1
Singles
1 - #71 Yulia Starodubtseva (Old Dominion) def. #20 Tiphanie Fiquet (Ole Miss) 2-6, 6-1, 6-0 [2nd]
2 - #116 Tatsiana Sasnouskaya (Old Dominion) def. #80 Sabina Machalova (Ole Miss) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 [3rd]
3 - Anaelle Leclercq (Ole Miss) vs. Marina Alcaide (Old Dominion) 4-6, 6-2, 5-6 (wd) [5th]
4 - #106 Alexandra Viktorovich (Old Dominion) def. Ludmilla Kareisova (Ole Miss) 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 [6th]
5 - Reka Zadori (Ole Miss) def. Sofia Johnson (Old Dominion) 6-3, 6-3 [1st]
6 - Rachel Krzyzak (Ole Miss) def. Alesya Yakubovich (Old Dominion) 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-0 [4th]
Doubles
1 - #3 Yulia Starodubtseva/Tatsiana Sasnouskaya (Old Dominion) vs. Tiphanie Fiquet/Anaelle Leclercq (Ole Miss) 6-5 [uf]
2 - Marina Alcaide/Shahar Biran (Old Dominion) def. Sabina Machalova/Rachel Krzyzak (Ole Miss) 6-1 [1st]
3 - Alexandra Viktorovich/Alesya Yakubovich (Old Dominion) def. Lillian Gabrielsen/Kelsey Mize (Ole Miss) 7-6 (5) [2nd]
Women's Tennis Earns ITA Indoor Nationals Bid With 4-3 Win Over Ole Miss
