URBANDALE, Iowa – The Old Dominion women’s tennis team opened ITA Kickoff Weekend Tournament play with a 4-0 win at regional top-seed Iowa State on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, ODU (1-1) now advances to face third-ranked Oklahoma State on Sunday at 3 p.m. EST for the right to advance to the Round of 16 on February 9 in Seattle.
“A gutsy performance by our team this afternoon and I am happy to come away with a win,” said ODU Head Coach Dominic Manilla. “Hats off to Iowa State for a hard fought match on all fronts. A big thanks to our men’s program for the support. They were a boost that undoubtedly pushed us to the win.”
In doubles, the Monarchs started with a win at No. 3 as Kira Matushkina and Ulyana Romanova won by forfeit. Iowa State took No. 2 doubles by a 6-4 count forcing the deciding match at the top spot. Sofia Johnson and Lidiia Rasskouskaia responded with a 7-6 (7-4) won over the 56th-ranked duo of Anna Kuearum and Isabella Dunlap as ODU took a 1-0 lead.
Singles saw the Monarchs start with a win at No. 6 as Ulyana Romanova won by forfeit for a 2-0 lead. Johnson followed up with a 6-2, 6-2 win at No. 1 over Kuearum to push the advantage to 3-0. Rasskouskaia finished off the win with a 6-4, 6-4 victory at No. 5 over Valeska San Martin.
This marks the second time in the last three years that ODU advanced to a regional final as they won the Georgia Tech regional two years ago. This will be the first-ever meeting with Oklahoma State.
Tennis Match Results
Old Dominion vs Iowa State
1/27/2024 at Urbandale, Iowa
(Life Time Fitness)
Old Dominion 4, Iowa State 0
Singles competition
1. Sofia Johnson (ODU-W) def. Kuearum, Anna (ISU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Dunlap, Isabella (ISU) vs. Alexandra Viktorovich (ODU-W) 4-6, 5-2, unfinished
3. Narker, Ashlee (ISU) vs. Kira Matushkina (ODU-W) 6-3, 4-6, 0-1, unfinished
4. Arangio, Gala (ISU) vs. Allison Isaacs (ODU-W) 3-6, 5-2, unfinished
5. Lidiia Rasskouskaia (ODU-W) def. San Martin, Valeska (ISU) 6-4, 6-4
6. Ulyana Romanova (ODU-W) def. No player (ISU), by forfeit
Doubles competition
1. Sofia Johnson/Lidiia Rasskouskaia (ODU-W) def. #56 Kuearum, Anna/Dunlap, Isabella (ISU) 7-6 (7-4)
2. Narker, Ashlee/San Martin, Valeska (ISU) def. Alexandra Viktorovich/Allison Isaacs (ODU-W) 6-4
3. Kira Matushkina/Ulyana Romanova (ODU-W) def. No player/No player (ISU), by forfeit
Match Notes:
Old Dominion 1-1
Iowa State 2-1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (6,1,5)