Dukes Take Doubles Point, Fall 5-2 at VCU

Friday, January 31

Richmond, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

VCU

1/31/2025 6:59:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison took the early lead after capturing the doubles point, but VCU surged ahead during singles to down the Dukes, 5-2, on Friday evening at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.

The Rams (1-3) used wins on the top-four courts to clinch their first victory of the spring, which included three in straight sets.

JMU (1-2) gained the momentum early, winning on courts three and one to capture the doubles point and 1-0 match lead. It would later finish the match with a singles win on court five.

The tandem of Markus Giersiepen and Edson Sanchez controlled the pace throughout to upend Gevorg Mnatsakanyan and Leon Zaorski, 6-2, on court three.

After VCU evened things up with a victory on court two, JMU clinched the doubles point on court one. Esteve Agusti and Aurelien Schmitt gave JMU the advantage with a 6-3 triumph over Erwann Bouchet and German Samofalov.

In singles play, JMU led on a pair of courts early, which included Schmitt going up a set in his first appearance at the top singles slot. Straight-set victories on courts two through four moved VCU's lead to 3-1, and Samofalov rallied past Schmitt, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, to secure the Rams' win.

VCU extended the lead to 5-1 with a straight-set triumph on court six, and the match concluded on court five, where Dennis Wiebe rallied in both sets to defeat Kostiantyn Mantach, 7-6 (6), 6-3.

The Dukes return to action Sunday at Liberty with the first serve set for 2 p.m. in Lynchburg.

VCU 5, JMU 2
Doubles Results
Court 1: Esteve Agusti/Aurelien Schmitt (JMU) def. Erwann Bouchet/German Samofalov (VCU), 6-3
Court 2: Consonni/Mantach (VCU) def. Zach Fleishman/Francisco Sinopoli (JMU), 6-3
Court 3: Markus Giersiepen/Edson Sanchez (JMU) def. Gevorg Mnatsakanyan/Leon Zaorski (VCU), 6-2

Singles Results
Court 1: German Samofalov (VCU) def. Aurelien Schmitt (JMU), 3-6, 6-1, 6-3
Court 2: Nicolo Consonni (VCU) def. Esteve Agusti (JMU), 6-1, 6-3
Court 3: Erwann Bouchet (VCU) def. Francisco Sinopoli (JMU), 6-2, 7-6 (4)
Court 4: Leon Zaorski (VCU) def. Zach Fleishman (JMU), 6-4, 6-1
Court 5: Dennis Wiebe (JMU) def. Kostiantyn Mantach (VCU), 7-6 (6), 6-3
Court 6: Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) def. Markus Giersiepen (JMU), 6-0, 6-3

Order of Results: Doubles (3, 2, 1*), Singles (2, 4, 3, 1*, 6, 5)