University of Richmond Athletics
Thursday, November 7
Rome, Ga.
University of Richmond
vs
ITA Conference Masters Championships
Barbulescu, Brashear and Wiley Conclude Deep Runs at ITA Conference Masters
11/10/2024 | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
ROME, Ga. – Sofia Barbulescu and doubles duo Cole Brashear and Davis Wiley wrapped up competition at the ITA Conference Masters Tournament in Rome, Ga. this past weekend highlighted by a ranked win for Barbulescu, the first ranked win for the women's program in over two decades, and two hard-fought doubles wins for the men's team.
"Sofia had a great run this week," said Head Coach Jacob Dunbar. "She beat some very talented players and proved she belongs at the highest level of college tennis. She fell one win short of qualifying for NCAA's. I would have loved to see her compete there, but she is only in her first couple months, and I know she will keep improving. We're very lucky to have her at Richmond and I'm beyond excited for what she brings to the program next.
Barbulescu opened the tournament with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Beata Havlickova (South Dakota) before downing the No. 1 tournament seed and No. 39 ITA ranked Claudia De Las Heras of San Diego 6-4, 6-4. The freshman dropped a final 6-2, 6-2 match to Gracie Epps of Oklahoma State to conclude her run in the tournament.
On the men's side, duo Branshear and Wiley dropped a match to Joseph Wayand/Alex Degabriele (UNCW) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 to open the tournament before bouncing back and defeating Benjamin Johnson/Christian Winstead (Drake) 0-6, 6-0, 10-4. After the match against Drake, Brashear/Cole defeated Martin Garcia-Ripooll Ore/Francisco Lamas of East Tennessee State University, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8. The duo narrowly dropped the consolation semifinal match to Taj Hibbert/Rohan Loubser (Tennessee State) 7(7)7-6(2), 6-2 to round out the tournament.
"Davis and Cole have really shown this fall that they are capable of competing with the best in the country," Dunbar said. "Even though they lost some tight matches this week they picked up some great wins as well. I think we're very lucky to have them out there representing Richmond, as well as the rest of the A-10 against all the other conferences in the country."
Singles Competition
Doubles Competition
"Sofia had a great run this week," said Head Coach Jacob Dunbar. "She beat some very talented players and proved she belongs at the highest level of college tennis. She fell one win short of qualifying for NCAA's. I would have loved to see her compete there, but she is only in her first couple months, and I know she will keep improving. We're very lucky to have her at Richmond and I'm beyond excited for what she brings to the program next.
Barbulescu opened the tournament with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Beata Havlickova (South Dakota) before downing the No. 1 tournament seed and No. 39 ITA ranked Claudia De Las Heras of San Diego 6-4, 6-4. The freshman dropped a final 6-2, 6-2 match to Gracie Epps of Oklahoma State to conclude her run in the tournament.
On the men's side, duo Branshear and Wiley dropped a match to Joseph Wayand/Alex Degabriele (UNCW) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 to open the tournament before bouncing back and defeating Benjamin Johnson/Christian Winstead (Drake) 0-6, 6-0, 10-4. After the match against Drake, Brashear/Cole defeated Martin Garcia-Ripooll Ore/Francisco Lamas of East Tennessee State University, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8. The duo narrowly dropped the consolation semifinal match to Taj Hibbert/Rohan Loubser (Tennessee State) 7(7)7-6(2), 6-2 to round out the tournament.
"Davis and Cole have really shown this fall that they are capable of competing with the best in the country," Dunbar said. "Even though they lost some tight matches this week they picked up some great wins as well. I think we're very lucky to have them out there representing Richmond, as well as the rest of the A-10 against all the other conferences in the country."
Singles Competition
- Sofia Barbulescu (RIC) def. Beata Havlickova (South Dakota) 6-1, 6-2
- Sofia Barbulescu (RIC) def. No. 39 Claudia De Las Heras (San Diego) 6-4, 6-4
- Gracie Epps (OSU) def. Sofia Barbulescu (RIC) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles Competition
- Joseph Wayand/Alex Degabriele (UNCW) def. Cole Brashear/Davis Wiley (RIC) 4-6, 7-5, 1-0
- Cole Brashear/Davis Wiley (RIC) def. Benjamin Johnson/Christian Winstead (Drake) 0-6, 6-0, 10-4
- Cole Brashear/Davis Wiley (RIC) def. Martin Garcia-Ripooll Ore/Francisco Lamas (ETSU) 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
- Taj Hibbert/Rohan Loubser (TSU) def. Cole Brashear/Davis Wiley (RIC) 7(7)-6(2), 6-2
Players Mentioned
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