Mountaineers Take Down VCU in Season Opener

RICHMOND, Va. – The App State tennis team defeated VCU in the team's season opener 5-2. Freshman Alexi Cleveland swept both sets to give the Mountaineers their fourth point, putting them on top of the Rams.
 
What Happened
The Mountaineers opened with a quick lead against the Rams, sweeping all three doubles matches, earning the doubles point. The duo of Isabela Romanichen and Taya Powell swept the Rams 6-0, giving the Mountaineers their first doubles win of the spring season. Savannah Dada-Mascoll and Olwyn Ryan-Bovey went behind early but eventually defeated the Rams 7-5.
 
In singles, Dada-Mascoll defeated her opponent quickly, beating her in two sets by a score of 6-1, 6-4. Romanichen followed suit, defeating her opponent by a score of 7-5, 6-1.
 
After taking a 3-0 lead against the Rams, VCU began to claw back, defeating Powell and Ruby Broadbent after both Mountaineers won the first set.
 
Cleveland put the Mountaineers over the hump, defeating her opponent in the second set. Naledi Manyube also added on to the total, defeating her opponent in two sets after a tiebreaker.
 
Up Next 
The Mountaineers will stay in Richmond, Va. to take on Temple University at noon tomorrow.
 
The 2024-2025 season is presented by Hound Ears Club.
 
App State 5, VCU 2
 
Results:
(Doubles)
Isabela Romanichen/Taya Powell (App) def. Mariam Ibrahim/Lea Malazdra (VCU) | 6-0
Savannah Dada-Mascoll/Olwyn Ryan-Bovey (App) def. Andrea Magallanes/T. Andrade Sabando (VCU) | 7-5
Naledi Manyube/Ruby Broadbent (App) def. Sofia Jane Thorne/Sara Alba (VCU) | 6-2
 
(Singles)
Savannah Dada-Mascoll (App) def. T. Andrade Sabando (VCU) | 6-1, 6-4
Isabela Romanichen (App) def. Mariam Ibrahim (VCU) | 7-5, 6-1
Sofia Jane Thorne (VCU) def. Taya Powell (App) | 7-5, 3-6, 1-6
Andrea Magallanes (VCU) def. Ruby Broadbent (App) | 6-1, 2-6, 5-7
Naledi Manyube (App) def. Lea Malazdra (VCU) | 7⁷-6², 7-5
Alexi Cleveland (App) def. Sara Alba (VCU) | 6-4, 6-3