NORFOLK, Va. – In a match that started outside and went indoors thanks to an 11-degree temperature drop during doubles, the Old Dominion women's tennis team took the first four singles matches to defeat visiting Virginia Tech 4-1 on Friday afternoon.
With the win, the Monarchs have now won 27 straight home matches at the Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center dating back to a loss to Virginia Tech on March 9, 2018.
Doubles saw the visitors take two of the three matches to claim the team point. ODU snagged the first doubles win at number two as Sofia Johnson and Alexandra Viktorovich won 6-3.
After the teams moved inside thanks to the sudden temperature change, the Monarchs took off winning the first three matches in straight sets. Yuliia Starodubtseva, ranked 47th nationally, scored a 6-2, 6-0 win at number one, while Viktorovich also won 6-2, 6-0 at number three. Tatsiana Sasnouskaya, ranked 53rd nationally, won 6-3, 6-2 at number two singles to put the Monarchs up 3-1.
Johnson clinched the dual win with a come-from-behind three-set win over Charlotte Cartledge 1-6, 6-1, 6-0 at number five for the win.
ODU (5-4) heads back on the road Sunday to Lawrence, Kansas to tangle with the Jayhawks of the University of Kansas at 1 p.m. EST.
ODU HEAD COACH DOMINIC MANILLA ON THE HOME WIN
"Hats off to Virginia Tech for a hard-fought match. I am an extremely proud coach today as we were able to battle through a lot to get a tough win today. Switching the match from outside to inside is not ideal for either team, but the way we responded, calming ourselves down, centering and going to work showed what we are made of. Today will help us down the road for sure. I am looking forward to playing Kansas on Sunday."
Women's Tennis Takes 4-1 Win Over Virginia Tech
