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Norfolk State NSU (0-1)
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Winner William & Mary WM (2-0)
Norfolk State NSU
(0-1)
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Final
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William & Mary WM
(2-0)
Winner
Aleksandra Evdokimova
Kyle Serba

Match Recap: Women's Tennis | | Alex Lehmbeck, Asst. SID

Newcomers Shine as Spartans Come Up Just Short of Upset at William & Mary, 4-3

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Norfolk State came extremely close to a season-opening road win against one of the top programs in the state on Saturday, falling 4-3 to defending CAA champion William & Mary at McCormack-Magelson Tennis Center.
 
The Tribe won the doubles point to start the match, which wound up being the decisive point for the afternoon. The Spartans split the six singles matches with their opponent, winning at positions No. 1, 4, and 6.
 
Both of Norfolk State's freshman additions this offseason, Amal Gati and Oceanne Lopez, notched victories in singles on Saturday, a terrific start to their respective collegiate careers.
 
Gati went 2-0 for the day, earning the Spartans' lone victory in doubles play alongside Breana Cook. The pair defeated Alexandra Vesikallio and Kensie Cricchio 7-6 at the No. 2 position.
 
The victory marked a strong start to the evening, but unfortunately for the Spartans, the other tight doubles matches didn't go the visiting teams' way. William & Mary's Emma Pell and Yaelle Vaissaud narrowly bested Lopez and Laura Ruiz on Court 3, before Elisa Van Meeteren and Emma Fernald defeated Aleksandra Evdokimova and Amber Fuller 7-6 on Court 1 to clinch the first point of the match.
 
William & Mary went ahead 2-0 after Chricchio defeated Cook 6-2, 6-0 at the No. 5 position. The Spartans pulled back within one with Lopez' 6-2, 7-5 victory over Vesikallio on Court 4.
 
Gati evened up the match with a win at No. 6, defeating Vaissaud 7-5, 6-4.
 
Alisia Manolescu edged out Ruiz 6-3, 6-3 at the No. 2 position, giving William & Mary the upper hand, but Evdokimova took down top-seeded Van Meeteren 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to make the match all square.

The match came down to the battle at No. 3 singles between Pell and Fuller, a three-set showdown with neither player giving an inch. Pell eventually won a tiebreker in the third set to lead William & Mary to victory, pulling out a 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (1) thriller.
 
The Spartans look to bounce back on Thursday, Feb. 9, when they play a road match at Richmond, with first serve set for 9 a.m.
 
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