Score: VCU 7, Howard 0

Date: Feb. 22, 2018

Location: Richmond, Va. (Thalhimer Tennis Center)

Records: VCU 7-2, Howard 1-4

The short story: VCU women's tennis breezed through its midweek match against Howard, winning 7-0 without dropping a set, and losing just 10 games across seven matches.

OPENING SERVE

• After a Howard default at No. 3 doubles, junior Anna Rasmussen and freshman Melissa Ifidzhen, the reigning Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively, clinched the doubles point with a 6-1 victory over Nathalie Finch and Nicole Hutchinson. This was the sixth victory in a row for the duo, and the 11th of the season, a team high.
• Playing her first match at No. 1 singles this season, freshman Paola Exposito Diaz Delgado stretched the VCU lead to 3-0 with a straight set victory over Finch 6-1, 6-0.
• Ifidzhen clinched the match for VCU with a win at No. 3 singles, defeating Christina Joynes 6-0, 6-1.
• The sweep was rounded out by wins by sophomore Noumea Witmus and freshmen Marina Alcaide Bakkari and Sofia Sualehe.

THE RESULTS

Doubles

1- Anna Rasmussen/Melissa Ifidzhen (VCU) def. Nathalie Finch/Nicole Hutchinson (HU)  6-1

2- Marina Alcaide Bakkari/Sofia Sualehe (VCU) def. Christina Joynes/Aria Ragas (HU)  6-1

3- Paola Exposito Diaz Delgado/Noumea Witmus (VCU)  HU Default

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2

Singles

1- Paola Exposito Diaz Delgado (VCU) def. Nathalie Finch (HU) 6-1, 6-0

2- Noumea Witmus (VCU) def. Nicole Hutchinson (HU)  6-1, 6-2

3- Melissa Ifidzhen (VCU) def. Christina Joynes (HU)  6-0, 6-1

4- Marina Alcaide Bakkari (VCU) def. Sajela Harlow (HU)  6-2, 6-1

5- Sofia Sualehe (VCU) def. Aria Ragas (HU)  6-0, 6-2

6- HU Default

Order of finish: 6, 1, 3, 5, 2, 4

UP NEXT

The Rams hit the road this Saturday, Feb. 24 to take on Maryland in College Park, Md. at noon.