Box Score Score: VCU 4, Wichita State 2
Location: Wichita, Kan. (Genesis Rock Road)
Records: VCU 6-10 (2-0 Atlantic 10), No. 57 Wichita State 12-10
 
The Short Story: VCU Men's Tennis secured a dramatic road victory over No. 57 Wichita State, as Erwann Bouchet delivered the clinching point.
 
Quote from Coach Kutrovsky: "Very good win and day for us. Wichita State is a good team, we competed well starting from the first point of doubles all the way to the last point in singles. When we do that we're a tough team. Looking forward to the next challenge over in Tulsa"
 
Opening Serve

• Today's match marked the first meeting between the two sides, as Wichita State entered ranked No. 57 in the nation with a 12-9 record, carrying momentum from wins over No. 52 Nebraska (5-2), No. 34 Oklahoma State (4-3), UNC Wilmington (4-3), and No. 56 Charlotte (4-2). VCU, meanwhile, came into the matchup after splitting the previous weekend, earning a 4-3 win over Elon before falling to UNCW.
• The Rams entered the matchup looking to upset the ranked Shockers and did exactly that, fueled by strong performances across the lineup from doubles through the final point. VCU secured the doubles point and added three singles victories, with the match ultimately coming down to Erwann Bouchet on Court 1. After dropping the opening set in a tiebreak, Bouchet responded with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 finish to clinch the upset victory for the Rams.

Doubles

• VCU secured the doubles point with strong performances on Courts 2 and 3 to take early control of the match. Alfred Almasi and Nicolo Consonni set the tone on Court 2, delivering a dominant 6-1 win to give the Rams momentum from the start. Since his return to the lineup, Almasi has gone 3-1 in doubles.
• Moments later, Patrik Petera and Leon Zaorski followed on Court 3, remaining composed down the stretch and pulling away late for a 6-4 victory to clinch the doubles point for VCU.

Singles

• The Rams carried that momentum into singles play, as they fought through tight matches before it ultimately came down to the final court.
• On Court 4, Alfred Almasi was in a competitive match from the start, with both sets tight early, but the veteran had more in the tank down the stretch, pulling away for a 6-4, 6-2 victory to even the match.
• Patrik Petera continued his strong form on Court 6, jumping out to a 3-1 lead in the opening set and maintaining control throughout a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The rookie now has three singles wins in as many matches.
• With the match on the line, Erwann Bouchet delivered the final point on Court 1. After building a 4-3 lead in the opening set, Bouchet dropped the tiebreak 7-3. As momentum seemed to shift in favor of Wichita State's Ilias Worthington, Bouchet switched gears and responded emphatically, cruising through the final two sets 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the upset victory for the Rams in an instant classic.

Singles Results

1. Erwann Bouchet (VCU) def. Ilias Worthington (WSU) 6-7, 6-1, 6-2
2. Zaid Al Mashni (WSU) def. Nicolo Consonni (VCU) 6-3, 6-3
3. Gevorg Mnatsakanyan (VCU) vs. Pablo Roche Alcaya (WSU) 6-4, 5-7 (Unfinished)
4. Alfred Almasi (VCU) def. Alejandro Jacome (WSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Amir Milushev (WSU) def. Leon Zaorski (VCU) 6-4, 7-6 (8)
6. Patrik Petera (VCU) def. Luke Bracks (WSU) 6-4, 6-4

Doubles Results

1. Bouchet/Mnatsakanyan (VCU) vs. Roche Alcaya/Al Mashni (WSU) 5-4 (Unfinished)
2. Almasi/Consonni (VCU) def. Worthington/Cruz (WSU) 6-1
3. Petera/Zaorski (VCU) def. Jacome/Bockelmann-Evans (WSU) 6-4

Order of Finish: Doubles 2, 3  Singles 2, 4, 5, 6, 1

Up Next: The Rams remain on the road next week with a matchup against Tulsa on Sunday. First serve is set for 11 a.m.