Firebirds Edge Virginia State, 4–3
ETTRICK, Va. – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team secured a narrow 4–3 victory over Virginia State University in a tightly contested matchup.
The Firebirds picked up a key win in doubles play at the No. 1 spot as Célia Bastin and Polina Zelentsova battled to a 7–6 (4) victory over Sky Carter and Terrell. Virginia State claimed the No. 2 doubles match, while the No. 3 doubles point was decided by default.
UDC responded strongly in singles play, capturing four victories across the lineup to clinch the match.
At the top of the lineup, Polina Zelentsova delivered a dominant performance with a 6–2, 6–0 victory over Sky Carter. Célia Bastin followed with a straight-set 6–4, 6–4 win at No. 2 singles to add another point for the Firebirds.
Sofiia Shaparenko continued the momentum with a commanding 6–2, 6–0 win at the No. 4 position, while Nadja Zmukic secured the match-clinching point with a 6–4, 6–1 victory at No. 5 singles.
UDC will now travel to St. Thomas Aquinas College next Friday, for their first East Coast Conference matchup of the spring season.
Doubles
1. Bastin/Zelentsova def. Carter/Terrell (VSU) 7-6(4)
2. Pago/Hereford (VSU) def. Zmukic/Shaparenko 6-3
3. Burrows/Toomer (VSU) def. default
Singles
1. Polina Zelentsova def. Sky Carter (VSU) 6-2, 6-0
2. Célia Bastin def. Makensie Pago (VSU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Leilani Hereford (VSU) def. Lina Benjelloun 6-1, 6-4
4. Sofiia Shaparenko def. Damita Bollers (VSU) 6-2, 6-0
5. Nadja Zmukic def. Alexcie Burrows (VSU) 6-4, 6-1
6. Taryn Toomer (VSU) def. default
UDC - 4
VSU - 3
Order of Completion
Doubles: 3, 2*, 1
Singles: 6, 1, 3, 4, 2, 5*