Virginia Advances to NCAA Round of 16

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –  The Virginia women’s tennis team (20-6) picked up a 4-0 victory against Princeton (17-7) in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tennis Team Championship on Saturday (May 6) at the Virginia Tennis Facility at the Boar’s Head Resort.

Freshman Annabelle Xu clinched the match for the Cavaliers. Xu rebounded from a 6-0 loss in her first set against Zoe Howard on court three to win her second two sets 6-3, 6-4.

This is the eighth time in program history that the team has advanced to the Round of 16 and the third straight time for head coach Sara O’Leary.

Virginia will travel to take on No. 5 Michigan (24-3) on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. in the Ann Arbor Super Regional. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals being held at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla.

“Congratulations to Princeton on a well-played match,” O’Leary said. “They made us earn it. I also just want to thank everyone who came out to support us today. It was an amazing atmosphere and made a difference so thank you! I’m proud of the toughness we showed in every match. I think playing in the ACC conference and playing so many competitive matches throughout the season really prepared us for this match. We are definitely battle tested and looking forward to playing Michigan next weekend!”

Virginia opened Saturday’s match with a pair of 6-2 wins on the second and third doubles court. It was the 15^th time in the last 19 matches that the Cavaliers jumped out to the 1-0 lead by taking the doubles point.

Mélodie Collard battled through a 7-3 tiebreaker to win her first set against Eva Elbaz on court six to give UVA four of six first sets. Collard then downed Elbaz 6-0 in the second set to put UVA ahead 2-0. Sara Ziodato also closed out a straight-set victory on court five, winning 6-3, 6-4 against Grace Joyce.

The other four courts all went to third sets, including the top court where Julia Adams took the first set against No. 10 Daria Frayman. Xu closed out the victory for the Cavaliers to suspend play on the final three singles courts.

Virginia is the No. 12 seed in the championship but is ranked No. 11 in the latest ITA team rankings. Princeton is No. 56 in the team rankings.

The Cavaliers closed out the home campaign with a 13-1 record this year in Charlottesville.

#11 Virginia 4, #56 Princeton 0
Singles competition

1. #61 Julia Adams (VA) vs. #10 Daria Frayman (PRIN) 6-4, 1-6, 2-4, unfinished
2. #53 Natasha Subhash (VA) vs. Neha Velaga (PRIN) 3-6, 6-2, 4-5, unfinished
3. #92 Annabelle Xu (VA) def. Zoe Howard (PRIN) 0-6, 6-3, 6-4
4. Hibah Shaikh (VA) vs. Maia Sung (PRIN) 6-2, 4-6, 3-2, unfinished
5. Sara Ziodato (VA) def. Grace Joyce (PRIN) 6-3, 6-4
6. Melodie Collard (VA) def. Eva Elbaz (PRIN) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0

Doubles competition

1. #10 Julia Adams/Melodie Collard (VA) vs. #41 Daria Frayman/Grace Joyce (PRIN) 3-5, unfinished
2. Natasha Subhash/Annabelle Xu (VA) def. Maia Sung/Zoe Howard (PRIN) 6-2
3. Sara Ziodato/Hibah Shaikh (VA) def. Neha Velaga/Eva Elbaz (PRIN) 6-2

Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,5,3)
NCAA Second Round – Charlottesville Regional
Virginia Advances to the Round of 16
T-2:44 A-138