In front of the second-largest crowd in team history, No. 1 Virginia ousted Virginia Commonwealth behind the clutch performances of sophomore Somdev Devvarman and senior Doug Stewart. Many of the 527 fans that were present at the start of the match stayed until the end to watch Devvarman outlast junior Arnaud Lecloerec in three sets (6-4, 3-6, 6-4).
With the score tied 3-3 in the best of 7 match between the two teams, Devvarmen found himself in a must-win situation if the Cavaliers were to pull off the victory. The sophomore from India used every trick in the book, including a between-the-legs shot with his back to the net that helped win a point in the third set.
From that point forward, the crowd could not help but stay and support the Cavaliers in their first game at the newly expanded Boar's Head Inn.
"The whole Virginia crowd was great," Devvarman said. "I'm sure it's only going to get bigger and bigger. I mean, this is only the first game."
In a match where Lecloerec went down late in the third set with cramps, Virginia head coach Brian Boland was quick to point out that it wasn't just that extra boost from the crowd that enabled Virginia to win but, also, the physical condition that he keeps the team in.
"[Devvarman] was just fitter than the other player," Boland said. "I give him credit, because Lecloerec is a great player. I thought it was just a great college tennis match."
Devvarman, however, would not have been in a position to seal the match for Virginia had it not been for five other victories earlier in the evening from Stewart (6-2, 4-6, 6-4), sophomore Treat Huey (6-4, 6-2) and all three Virginia doubles teams.
Stewart's match also went to three sets before he was able to defeat junior Petr Olsak. Down 3-2 in the third set, Stewart persevered and regained momentum after a couple of controversial calls and a code violation on the senior leader.
"I got pretty mad after that," Stewart said. "I knew I wasn't going to lose, and I started playing a lot better.
Stewart, who was recently moved in the lineup from No. 1 to No. 2 after a rough beginning to the season, impressed Boland the most last night.
"He's had to deal with more adversity early on this year than he's had to his entire career," Boland said. "He's fought and fought. It shows how much he's growing as a person. I think this was something that he really needed."
It wasn't just Stewart who needed the win, however. It was the entire team. The Cavaliers have their work cut out for them as they set out to defend their No. 1 rank in the NCAA. They face No. 26 Notre Dame, No. 4 Illinois and No. 7 Baylor in their upcoming three games.
"Every match that we play now is so big because the schedule is so tough," Boland said. "We don't have any easy rides."
There is no question that last night's victory over VCU gives the Cavaliers momentum and confidence as they head into a tough stretch of matches.
"Winning always gives you confidence," Devvarman said. "For a team like us, a win 4-3, 5-2, or whatever it is -- we're going to go into our next two matches pretty pumped up"
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