JMU Falls Short in First Round of NCAA Championship

Friday, May 7

Charlottesville, Va.

Noon

James Madison University

Tennessee

5/7/2021 4:12:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – James Madison's 2021 season came to a close on Friday afternoon with a 4-0 setback to #15 Tennessee in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Tennis Championship at Virginia's Boar's Head Sports Club.

The loss closes a strong season for JMU that culminated in a defense of their Colonial Athletic Association title and second-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship. The Dukes finished with a 14-4 record, going 8-1 at home and unbeaten in conference play.

The Volunteers (17-8) earned the doubles point with successive wins on courts three and two. Redshirt sophomore Daria Afanasyeva and redshirt senior Alexis Franco were leading 4-3 on court one against Eleonora Molinaro and Tenika McGiffin when it was stopped due to UT clinching the doubles point.

Tennessee advanced to the second round after claiming three singles victories in straight sets on courts three, four and five.

Tennessee clinched the 4-0 victory with three straight singles wins on courts three, four, and five.

A pair of Dukes were leading in their respective matches when Tennessee secured the win.

Redshirt senior Jona Roka was just a game away from winning her singles match over Molinaro on court two, as she led 6-2, 5-4. Redshirt sophomore Daniela Voloh also held a 6-4, 3-2 advantage over Johanna Silva on court six.

Today marked the final match for seniors Roka and Franco.

Roka completed her tenure with the Dukes as the winningest player in school history, with 165 combined victories. She also ranked tied for first with 83 doubles wins and second with 82 singles triumphs. Franco, who transferred from Wake Forest for her final season, tallied 25 wins this year and registered 97 for her career.