NORFOLK, Va. – The 67th-ranked Old Dominion men's tennis team clinched a share of the Sun Belt Conference Regular Season title on Saturday afternoon with a 5-2 win over James Madison on Senior Day.
With the win, and a South Alabama win at Coastal Carolina on Saturday, the Monarchs and Jaguars share the regular season title. As a result of South Alabama's 4-3 win last month, the Monarchs will be the two-seed in the upcoming Sun Belt Conference Tournament starting on Thursday in Peachtree City, Ga.
Celebrating six seniors, the Monarchs got started quickly in doubles winning a pair of 6-1 matches to take the team point. At line three, Francois Le Tallec and Cosme Rolland De Ravel got the first win, while at line one the tandem of Younes Lalami and Brandon Perez clinched the team point with their win. Le Tallec and Rolland De Ravel are now 13-3 this spring in doubles.
Singles saw Le Tallec put ODU (15-9, 7-1) up 2-0 with a quick 6-1, 6-1 win at line two over Julian Lozano, while Rolland De Ravel gave the Monarchs a 3-0 lead with a 6-2, 6-2 win at line three over Youssef Sadek.
JMU (12-9, 3-5) got on the board with a win at line six, but the Monarchs clinched right after that as Jakob Cadonau took a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win at line four to nail the team win. The Dukes scored another win at line five, while Lalami finished the match with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Holden Koons at line one.
"We set the tone right out of the gate in doubles. The guys knew what was on the line and came out with a purpose. In singles, JMU really pushed us and showed they had a solid first year in the league. I am really proud of these guys and now its onto the tournament next week," said ODU Head Coach Dominik Mueller.
Pairings for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament will be announced Sunday.
Tennis Match Results
James Madison vs Old Dominion
4/15/2023 at Norfolk, Va.
(Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center)
#67 Old Dominion 5, James Madison 2
Singles competition
1. Younes Lalami (ODU-M) def. Holden Koons (JMU) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2
2. Francois Le Tallec (ODU-M) def. Julian Lozano (JMU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Cosme Rolland De Ravel (ODU-M) def. Youssef Sadek (JMU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Jakob Cadonau (ODU-M) def. Francisco Sinopoli (JMU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
5. Edson Sanchez (JMU) def. Luca Maldoner (ODU-M) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4
6. Aathreya Mahesh (JMU) def. Nicola Vidal (ODU-M) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)
Doubles competition
1. #85 Younes Lalami/Brandon Perez (ODU-M) def. Holden Koons/Francisco Sinopoli (JMU) 6-1
2. Jakob Cadonau/Luca Maldoner (ODU-M) vs. Julian Lozano/Edson Sanchez (JMU) 5-2, unfinished
3. Francois Le Tallec/Cosme Rolland De Ravel (ODU-M) def. Youssef Sadek/Canon Secord (JMU) 6-1
Match Notes:
James Madison 12-9, 3-5
Old Dominion 15-9, 7-1; National ranking #67
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (2,3,6,4,5,1)
Men's Tennis Clinches Share of Regular Season Title With 5-2 Win Over JMU
