Virginia Commonwealth University

Final: #15 Duke 4, VCU 0
Location: Durham, N.C. (Ambler Tennis Stadium)
Records: VCU 14-11, Duke 19-7
Schedule Note: NCAA Tournament First Round 

The Short Story: VCU's season came to an end in Durham as the Rams fell 4-0 to No. 15 Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, capping off a championship season that saw VCU secure back-to-back Atlantic 10 titles and make its 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance. 

Opening Serve: 

• VCU entered the NCAA Tournament after winning its second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship and its 10th title in the last 13 seasons. The Rams secured the conference's automatic bid with a 4-3 win over Fordham in the A-10 final, marking the program's 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance. Duke, the No. 15 seed, entered with an 18-7 record after a 4-2 loss to Virginia in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Blue Devils advanced to the Elite Eight last season before falling to Georgia. Friday's match marked the fifth meeting between the two programs.

Singles

• Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando highlighted VCU's singles effort, taking her opening set 6-4 over No. 52 Aspen Schuman before leading 4-0 in the second when play was halted.
• Mariam Ibrahim and Andrea Magallanes both carried second-set leads and were on track for third sets when play was stopped.

Singles Results

1. #13 Irina Balus (Duke) def. Sofia Jane Thorne (VCU) 6-2, 6-3
2. Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando (VCU) vs. #52 Aspen Schuman (Duke) 6-4, 4-0 (Unfinished)
3. #124 Claire An (Duke) vs. Mariam Ibrahim (VCU) 6-1, 5-4 (Unfinished)
4. Shavit Kimchi (Duke) def. Viktoria Lackova (VCU) 6-1, 6-3
5. Eleana Yu (Duke) def. Andrea Magallanes (VCU) 6-3, 5-4 (Unfinished)
6. Katie Codd (Duke) def. Elicia Kim (VCU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles Results

1. No. 50 Shavit Kimchi / Irina Balus (Duke) vs. Tania Isabel Andrade Sabando / Mariam Ibrahim (VCU) 5-2 (Unfinished)
2. Claire An / Eleana Yu (Duke) def. Andrea Magallanes / Sofia Jane Thorne (VCU) 6-1
3. Aspen Schuman / Liv Hovde (Duke) def. Sara Alba / Viktoria Lackova (VCU) 6-4

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

Head Coach Rifa Kahfiani on the 2026 Season: "Playing against Duke at the NCAA tournament gave us a real look at where we stand. Competing against a top-15 program was a valuable benchmark, and I believe our student-athletes learned a great deal from it. Honestly, we weren't that far off. We just need to sharpen our focus, stay disciplined, and trust the game plan when the opportunity to finish is right in front of us. Although our season ends here, I couldn't be more proud of how our student-athletes showed up, not just as competitors, but for each other.

This regular season tested us. We faced adversity, dropped matches that felt within reach, and had to sit with some difficult results. But those hard moments weren't setbacks, they were lessons. They shaped how we competed in this tournament, and we wouldn't have made it this far without them. Growth rarely comes easy, and this group embraced that. What stands out most is their work ethic and genuine desire to improve, not just as athletes, but as people. That's something to be proud of.

To our support staff, the people working behind the scenes every single day, thank you and thank you. You make this program possible in ways that don't always get the spotlight, but our student-athletes appreciate it. Caroline, Jake, Isaac, Michael, Keith, Dr. Aziz, Emily, Kirbie, Adam R, and every member of the Ram family, we are deeply grateful for everything you do.

Sofia and Ed, thank you for your steady belief in and commitment to this program. Your support means more than words can express.

And to Ram Nation and Donors, thank you. The support from this community fuels us. I'm genuinely excited about where this program is headed, and I can't wait for what's ahead.

As always, Go Rams!"