VCU Rallies Past JMU in Midweek Road Bout

Thursday, March 16

Richmond, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

VCU

3/16/2023 4:58:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score

Photo courtesy of VCU Athletics

RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison built multiple leads in Thursday's women's tennis action at VCU, but the Rams rallied in the final two singles matches to take a 4-3 win from the Dukes at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

The Rams improved to 4-9 on the year, while the Dukes dropped to 6-5. VCU has now won 15 straight matches against JMU, dating back to 1998. However, three of the last four meetings have been decided with a 4-3 margin.

JMU claimed the doubles point and held leads at 2-0 and 3-2 during singles play until the hosts came back from a set down on the final two courts.

Daria Munteanu was the lone Duke to win both her singles and doubles match, while Hope Moulin won by default due to an injured VCU player. For Munteanu, she's now won nine straight singles matches, holding a team-best 15-3 record as a true freshman.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Doubles Play

JMU won matches on courts three and two to grab the early 1-0 lead.
On court three, Daria Afanasyeva and Reka Matko took down Anja Draskovic and Emma Valletta, 6-4, winning a crucial point on an Afanasyeva ace when up 5-4.
Moments later, Munteanu and Daniela Voloh, who controlled the pace throughout, downed Gabriela Davidescu and Yelizaveta Karlova, 6-2, on court two to clinch the doubles point.
As the point was secured, the match on court one went unfinished, as Kylie Moulin and Ines Oliveira had won a deuce point to lead 6-5 versus Victoria Matasova and Victoria Smirnova.

Singles Play

JMU immediately took a 2-0 lead into singles, as Davidescu withdrew after doubles. Hope Moulin earned a win by default at the No. 6 singles slot.
VCU tied the match with a pair of straight-set victories on courts three and one.
Karlova took command early, earning a 6-2, 6-1 win against Oliveira to get the Rams on the board, while Smirnova claimed a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Kylie Moulin.
JMU retook the lead on court five, as Munteanu had a strong second en route to a 6-4, 6-1 win versus Valletta.
JMU took set leads on both courts two and four, but the Rams rallied to force deciding third frames.
VCU squared the match at 3-3 with its first comeback win on court four. Draskovic struggled early but held Voloh to just five games over the final two sets in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
The Rams clinched the victory on court two, as Matasova won five of the last six games for a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 triumph.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday, March 18 when it travels to Boone, N.C., to face App State. The opening serve I set for a 1 p.m. start.