STATESBORO, Ga. – Old Dominion women’s tennis concluded its regular season with a 4-1 road win against Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon.
“Hats off to Georgia Southern,” Head Coach Dominic Manilla said. “They were tough as nails. Their young squad is one that will have a strong impact in the conference the next few seasons. We are happy to finish the regular season. We gained a lot of confidence the past several weeks. It’s extremely difficult to execute at the level we have each match. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears go into this when no one is looking. I’m proud of this group and all they have accomplished this season. We are looking forward to the conference tournament.”
No. 2 duo Mya Byrd and Victoria Matasova grabbed the first win of the doubles matches, downing Hannah Eifert and Franzi Heinemann 6-1. For the first point of the day, No. 3 Marina Markina and Kira Matushkina defeated Nanaka Kijima and Mackenzie Leopold (6-2). No. 1 Lidiia Rasskouskaia’s and Ulyana Romanova’s match against Juliette Nask and Evelyn Warkentin was suspended at an even 4-4.
At court one for the first time this season, Matushkina began the singles matches with a strong win over Nask (6-1, 6-3). No. 2 Rasskouskaia followed suit after downing Heinemann (6-3, 6-4), though No. 4 Leopold would put the Eagles on the board following a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Matasova. For the win and to keep their undefeated Sun Belt Conference record, No. 6 Byrd won by retirement against Hannah Eifert in a third set (5-7, 6-2, 0-0).
No. 3 Romanova’s and No. 5 Markina’s matches against Warkentin (1-6, 7-6, 1-0) and Kijima (6-0, 3-6, 3-3) were suspended respectively.
“I'm very happy for Kira making her debut at the number 1 singles position for ODU women’s tennis,” Manilla said. “She is following a long history of distinguished athletes to play that position.”
ODU travels to Rome, Georgia next weekend to begin the SBC Tournament, where the Monarchs hold the No. 1 seed and will be seeking their third straight championship.
#43 Old Dominion 4, Georgia Southern 1
Singles competition
- Kira Matushkina (ODU) def. Juliette Nask (GSU) 6-1, 6-3
- Lidiia Rasskouskaia (ODU) def. Franzi Heinemann (GSU) 6-3, 6-4
- Ulyana Romanova (ODU) vs. Evelyn Warkentin (GSU) 1-6, 7-6, 1-0, unfinished
- Mackenzie Leopold (GSU) def. Victoria Matasova (ODU) 6-4, 7-5
- Marina Markina (ODU) def. Nanaka Kijima (GSU) 6-0, 3-6, 3-2, unfinished
- Mya Byrd (ODU) vs. Amelie Rosadoro (GSU) 5-7, 6-1, WR
Doubles competition
- Lidiia Rasskoiuskaia and Ulyana Romanova (ODU) vs. Juliette Nask and Evelyn Warkentin (GSU) 4-4, unfinished
- Mya Byrd and Victoria Matasova (ODU) def. Hannah Eifert and Franzi Heinemann (GSU) 6-1
- Marina Markina and Kira Matushkina (ODU) def. Nanaka Kijima and Mackenzie Leopold (GSU) 6-2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (1,2,4,6)