Charlottesville, VA -- The LIU women's tennis team saw their 2021 season come to a close Friday afternoon, as the Sharks took on #13 nationally-ranked Virginia in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The Cavaliers beat the Sharks, 4-0. With the loss, LIU finishes the season 9-1.
 
The Sharks hung in with the Cavaliers, taking several games from their nationally-ranked opponents before the match was clinched.
 
"We knew it was going to be a tough match today, so we made sure we went in with a 'nothing to lose' mindset, and be ready to fight for every ball," head coach Jan Griga said. "Playing indoors was definitely a plus for us, and a little bit of an equalizer I'd say. Overall, I think we rose to the occasion exceptionally well, played some very solid tennis and showed that we can hang with the best. I am very much looking forward to seeing this team continue to grow and shine even brighter next year."
 
UVA won the doubles point, taking wins in the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. Victoria Erechtchenko and Jasmine Maduel took on the No. 17 nationally ranked pair oof Sofia Munera and Natasha Subhash, and took a game from them, but ultimately falling, 6-0. At No. 1 doubles, Valentina Dancencoo and Sofiya Kuzina were hanging with the No. 21 nationally-ranked duo of Emma Navarro and Rosie Johanson, trailing just 4-2 when the point was clinched.
 
In singles, UVA had wins at Nos. 4, 1 and 3 to clinch the match win. Kuzina took on the #3 ranked singles player in the nation in Navarro, and fell, 6-2, 6-1. Meanwhile, at No. 2 singles, Valentina Dancenco was battled with the #9 player in the nation, Subhash, and gave her quite a fight in the first set, taking it to 7-5. She was trailing in the second when the match was halted.
 
Bianca Compuesto and Kate Jorjoliani were also playing well in the Nos. 5 and 6 spots. Compuesto was down just 4-3 in the second set, and Jorjoliani had taken three games in the six spot before play stopped.
 
UVA advances to the second round with the defeat of LIU. The Sharks finish the season as NEC champions, with a 9-1 overall record.
 
#13 Virginia 4, LIU 0
 
Doubles competition
1. #21 Emma Navarro/Rosie Johanson (VA) vs. Valentina Dancenco/Sofiya Kuzina (LIU) 4-2, unfinished
2. #17 Sofia Munera/Natasha Subhash (VA) def. Victoria Erechtchenko/Jasmine Maduel (LIU) 6-1
3. Vivian Glozman/Hibah Shaikh (VA) def. Elinor Storkaas/Bianca Compuesto (LIU) 6-0
 
Singles competition
1. #3 Emma Navarro (VA) def. Sofiya Kuzina (LIU) 6-2, 6-1
2. #9 Natasha Subhash (VA) vs. Valentina Dancenco (LIU) 7-5, 4-0, unfinished
3. #90 Rosie Johanson (VA) def. Victoria Erechtchenko (LIU) 6-1, 6-2
4. Hibah Shaikh (VA) def. Elinor Storkaas (LIU) 6-1, 6-0
5. Amber O'Dell (VA) vs. Bianca Compuesto (LIU) 6-1, 4-3, unfinished
6. Vivian Glozman (VA) vs. Kate Jorjoliani (LIU) 6-3, 3-1, unfinished
 
 
Match Notes:
LIU 9-1
Virginia 15-6; National ranking #13
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (4,1)
NCAA FIRST ROUND - CHARLOTTESVILLE REGIONAL