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DURHAM, N.C. – The No. 27 Virginia women’s tennis team opened play in the 2009 NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 victory over No. 45 VCU Friday in a first round match at the Ambler Tennis Stadium on the campus of Duke University. The Cavaliers (14-9) meet Duke in the second round on Saturday at noon.

“We are very excited to advance out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament,” said Virginia head coach Mark Guilbeau. “It is never easy when you play a strong in-state rival like VCU. They had a great season and we congratulate them on making the tournament.”

The Cavaliers took early control of the match by winning the doubles point. Emily Fraser (Rye, N.Y.) and Lindsey Hardenbergh (Fairfax Station, Va.) topped Olena Leonchuk and Mihaela Bunea 8-2 at No. 3 doubles. At the No. 1 position, Amanda Rales (Bethesda, Md.) and Maggie Yahner (Las Vegas, Nev.) downed Ana Bara and Laura Burns 8-1 to clinch the opening point.

In singles, Virginia extended its lead to 2-0 as Jennifer Stevens (Miami, Fla.) defeated Kateryna Yergina 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Fraser made the score 3-0 with her 6-1, 6-1 win at No. 1 over Ana Bara. Hardenbergh sealed the victory for the Cavaliers as she completed a 6-2, 6-4 win over Alex Bara at No. 4 singles.

“The day started well for us with great performances at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles,” said Guilbeau. “We then kept that momentum going in singles. Jenny and Emily did a great job of jumping out to early leads at the top of the lineup, which is never easy. Across the board, everyone did well. The team played hungry and determined. It was good to see the players who got up early really push it and close out their match, while in the matches we fell behind, we did a good job of fighting back into the contest.”

The Cavaliers will be playing Duke for the third time this season. Virginia lost at Duke in the regular season and to the Blue Devils in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

“We know it will take our very best tennis to beat Duke,” said Guilbeau. “We are looking forward to the challenge.”

No. 27 Virginia 4, No. 45 VCU 0

Doubles
1. Rales/Yahner (UVa) def. Ana Bara/Burns (VCU) 8-1
2. Alex Bara/Yergina (VCU) led Vaez/Stevens (UVa) 7-2 DNF
3. Fraser/Hardenbergh (UVa) def. Leonchuk/Bunea (VCU) 8-2

Singles
1. #80 Emily Fraser (UVa) def. Ana Bara (VCU) 6-1, 6-1
2. #100 Jennifer Stevens (UVa) def. Kateryna Yergina (VCU) 6-2, 6-1
3. Laura Burns (VCU) led Amanda Rales (UVa) 7-5, 1-4 DNF
4. Lindsey Hardenbergh (UVa) def. Alex Bara (VCU) 6-2, 6-4
5. Claire Bartlett (UVa) led Olena Leonchuk (VCU) 6-1, 5-0 DNF
6. Mihaela Bunea (VCU) led Maggie Yahner (UVa) 6-2, 4-3 DNF

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

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