University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
Atlantic 10 Championships
Women's Tennis Captures Fourth Straight A-10 Title
04/22/2007 | Women's Tennis
April 22, 2007
MONROEVILLE, Pa. - On the strength of straight-set wins by Pamela Duran, Beatrice Grasu and Jessica Hubbard, Richmond claimed its fourth consecutive Atlantic 10 Women's Tennis Championship with a 4-0 victory over top-seeded Temple on Sunday at Club 4 Life in Monroeville, Pa.
The second-seeded Spiders earned their fifth A-10 title in the last six years and became the first program to win four straight Championships since Virginia Tech accomplished the feat from 1996-00. Richmond earns the league's NCAA automatic bid and will play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on May 11.
Richmond jumped out to a 1-0 lead as seniors Beatrice Grasu and Robin Carter were victorious (8-4) at first doubles before Hubbard and sophomore Xenia Schneider secured the point with a thrilling 8-6 win at the No. 3 flight over Temple's Anastasia Rukavyshnykova and Sharanya Pattabi.
Duran registered the Spiders' second point with a 6-2, 6-3 win versus senior Yuri Kurashima at No. 1 singles. Hubbard took a 6-4, 6-1 victory of Felicia Frazier before Grasu clinched the Title with an impressive 7-5, 6-0 victory over Temple freshman Radca Ferancova.
"The way Robin [Carter] and Beatrice played at first doubles really set the tone for the afternoon," said Richmond head coach Mark Wesselink.
"Those two players, along with senior Jessica Hubbard, delivered outstanding performances for us. Their senior leadership and contributions to Richmond tennis go far beyond their play on the court."
Playing in its first title match since 2003, Temple was vying for its fourth A-10 title in program history and first since 2003.
"I would like to congratulate Temple on a great season," said Wesselink, a four-time A-10 Coach of the Year recipient.
"They played us really tough today and have a very talented team. We will enjoy this title on our trip home while keeping our friends at Virginia Tech in our thoughts and prayers."
#2 RICHMOND 4 #1 TEMPLE 0
Doubles
1. Beatrice Grasu/Robin Carter (UR) def. Yuri Kurashima/Christine Clermont (TU) - 8-4
2. Pam Duran/Ashlee Vosters (UR) vs. Dina Senkina/Radka Ferancova (TU) - 8-7 (DNF)
3. Xenia Schneider/Jessica Hubbard (UR) def. Anastasia Rukavyshnykova/Sharanya Pattabi (TU) - 8-6
Singles
1. Duran (UR) def. Kurashima (TU) - 6-2, 6-3
2. Carter (UR) vs. Senkina (TU) - 6-4, 6-5 (DNF)
3. Grasu (UR) def. Ferancova (TU) - 7-5, 6-0
4. Vosters (UR) vs. Rukavyshnykova (TU) - 4-6, 6-3 (DNF)
5. Schneider (UR) vs. Clermont (TU) - 6-3, 4-6, 1-1 (DNF)
6. Hubbard (UR) def. Felicia Frazier (TU) - 6-4, 6-1
NOTES:
*The Spiders have won nine of their last ten matches
*Ashlee Vosters has won seven of her last eight matches in singles action (that were finished)
*Jessica Hubbard has won six of her last seven singles matches (that were finished)
*Vosters and Duran are on a 12-match win streak at second doubles (of matches that were finished)
