Score: VCU 4, Elon 3
Location: Richmond, Va. (Thalhimer Tennis Center)
Records: VCU 5-9 (2-0 Atlantic 10), Elon 4-9
 
The Short Story: VCU Men's Tennis secured the doubles point and three singles victories, with Alfred Almasi clinching the match in a 4-3 win over Elon on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Quote From Coach Kutrovsky: "Good team win, competed hard on all courts and didn't back down. Played one of our better doubles points of the season with some new teams and guys had good intensity. Happy for the win and looking forward to more!"
 
Doubles

• The Rams came out sharp in doubles play, taking control early to secure the opening point. On Court 1, Erwann Bouchet and Gevorg Mnatsakanyan created separation midway through the set, building a 5-2 lead before closing out a 6-3 win. On Court 2, Alfred Almasi and Nicolo Consonni turned a tight 2-2 set into a convincing 6-2 victory, clinching the doubles point for VCU. Court three remained even at 4-4 before going unfinished, as the Rams took the doubles point.

Singles

• VCU carried momentum from doubles into singles play, highlighted by strong performances across multiple courts.
• Gevorg Mnatsakanyan was the first to finish, delivering a composed performance on court three. After a tight opening set, Mnatsakanyan relied on consistent and effective serving to create separation, pulling away for a 6-4, 6-1 victory to improve to eight wins on the season.
• Patrik Petera added another point on court six, battling through a back-and-forth match against Elon's Charles Pilet. Petera took the opening set 6-4 before facing a setback in the second, battling back from 0-3 down to even it at 4-4, but ultimately dropping the set. In the deciding third, as was the theme of the day for VCU, Petera had more in the tank, pulling away to secure the point for the Rams.
• Alfred Almasi continued his strong stretch on court four, earning his second win in his last three matches. After jumping out to an early lead, Almasi stayed composed in a three-set battle. With the match on the line in the third set, he held firm through a tight stretch at 2-2 before edging ahead 3-2 and 4-2, ultimately pulling away for a 6-2 finish to clinch the match for the Rams.
• Leon Zaorski battled throughout his match on Court 5, showcasing strong resilience after dropping the opening set. He responded well to take the second and push the match to a third set, where he continued to compete point-for-point before ultimately falling in a thrilling 7-5 finish. Despite the setback, the Rams secured the overall team victory to kick off the outdoor season at home.

Singles Results

1. #116 Veljko Krstic (ELON) def. Erwann Bouchet (VCU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Rafael Ymer (ELON) def. Nicolo Consonni (VCU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
3. Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) def. Nikola Parichkov (ELON) 6-4, 6-1
4. Alfred Almasi (VCU) def. Jack Curtis (ELON) 6-3, 1-6, 6-2
5. Oskar Antinheimo (ELON) def. Leon Zaorski (VCU) 6-1, 3-6, 7-5
6. Patrik Petera (VCU) def. Charles Pilet (ELON) 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 

Doubles Results

1. Erwann Bouchet / Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) def. Veljko Krstic / Nikola Parichkov (ELON) 6-3
2. Alfred Almasi / Nicolo Consonni (VCU) def. Nick Fisk / Charles Pilet (ELON) 6-2
3. Mats Bredschneijder / Leon Zaorski (VCU) vs. Oskar Antinheimo / Rafael Ymer (ELON) 4-4, unfinished

Order of Finish: Doubles: 1, 2 Singles: 3, 1, 6, 2, 4, 5
 
Up Next: The Rams return home to face Elon and UNCW on Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22.