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Women’s, men’s tennis teams compete at ITA Kickoff weekend

The Cavalier women won the Kickoff finals, while the men lost their event

<p>Sophomore Amber O’Dell picked up a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory to clinch the win against No. 16 California</p>

Sophomore Amber O’Dell picked up a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory to clinch the win against No. 16 California

The Virginia men’s and women’s tennis teams both competed in the ITA Kickoff Regional over the weekend. The No. 23 men fell to No. 17 NC State in the final of their event, but the No. 20 women’s team won its event with a victory over No. 22 Tennessee in the final.

The men’s team kicked off the tournament with a match against Memphis Saturday afternoon at the Boar’s Head Sports Club in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers (3-2, 0-1 ACC) made quick work of the Tigers (1-3, 0-0 AAC), earning a 4-0 victory.

Virginia won the doubles point after freshman Christian Alshon and sophomore Ryan Goetz were able to win the decisive match. Alshon, Goetz and senior Carl Soderlund each picked up straight-set victories in the singles matches to seal the win for the Cavaliers.

The following day, the Cavalier men took on NC State in the final of the event. The Wolfpack (6-0, 0-0 ACC) earned a 4-1 victory and advanced to the ITA National Men’s Team Indoor Championships in February.

NC State quickly earned the doubles point with two victories. The Wolfpack continued to dominate, leading 2-0 in overall dual score after a singles victory, but Alshon cut the deficit to 2-1 after picking up a win on court five. However, NC State won two more singles matches to clinch the match by a score of 4-1.

The women’s team traveled to Lawrence, Kan. to take part in a competitive field that featured four teams ranked in the top 25. The Cavaliers (3-0, 0-0 ACC) opened the tournament with a 4-1 victory over No. 16 California (1-1, 0-0 Pac-12) Friday afternoon in the semifinals.

Virginia won the doubles point to go up 1-0, but the Bears won a singles match to even the score. The Cavaliers answered with singles victories from freshman No. 30 Natasha Subhash, junior Vivian Glozman and sophomore Amber O’Dell to clinch the match.

The Virginia women returned to action the following afternoon with a match against No. 22 Tennessee in the final. It was hard-fought match, but the Cavaliers pulled off a 4-3 victory over the Lady Vols (3-1, 0-0 SEC).

It was a slow start for Virginia, as it dropped the doubles point and two of three ensuing singles matches to fall behind 3-1. The Cavaliers turned things around late, receiving three set victories from Glozman, sophomore No. 78 Sofia Munera and senior Chloe Gullickson to complete the rally and win the match. The win clinches a berth for Virginia in the ITA National Women’s Team Indoor Championships held in Chicago in February.

Both teams are back in action next week at the Boar’s Head Sports Club. The women’s team will host Richmond Thursday while the men’s team will face off against Boston College Friday.

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