Spiders Shine Behind Barbulescu’s Singles Crown at ITA Hall of Fame Classic

Saturday, September 13

Williamsburg, Va.

9 a.m.

University of Richmond

ITA Hall of Fame Classic

Sofia Barbulescu in 2024 at the Conference Masters

Spiders Shine Behind Barbulescu’s Singles Crown at ITA Hall of Fame Classic

09/15/2025 | Women's Tennis

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The University of Richmond women's tennis team opened the fall slate with a strong showing at the ITA Hall of Fame Classic this past weekend, highlighted by Sofia Barbulescu's undefeated singles run and Lara Bakhaya's bounce-back effort in the consolation draw.

"It was great to get out and compete again," said Head Coach Jacob Dunbar. "With it being our first fall event, the focus was on finding what we need to work on. We got lots of matches in and the team did well. We'll push this next week and I'm looking forward to our next tournament at Elon. It should be another good one and we'll look to clean up a few things before then."

Barbulescu was dominant in the Green Singles Draw, defeating USF's Melisa Senli and JMU's Daria Munteanu before capping the weekend with a three-set victory over Penn's Esha Velaga, ranked No. 76 nationally, 6-3, 1-6, [10-8].

Bakhaya dropped her opener to William & Mary's Yaelle Vaissaud but rallied to win two straight, knocking off ECU's Kim Auerswald and Senli of USF to secure the consolation title.

In the Gold Draw, Lainey O'Neil collected a straight-set win over Penn's Sasha Motlagh in the consolation bracket before falling in a third-set tiebreak against JMU's Brooklyn Hommann.

Elizabeth Novak also pushed her opponents deep, earning a win over ECU's Skylar Moody after a tight three-set battle with USF's Sienna Leeson in the Black Draw.

Elsewhere, Amy Walsh and Lucy Webber competed in the Grey Draw, each dropping competitive matches to conference and regional opponents, while Abby Lee faced a tough trio of nationally-ranked programs in the White Draw.

In doubles, Novak teamed up with Bakhaya in the Colonial Draw. The pair fell in their first two matches but closed the weekend with a 7-6(4) win over ECU's Skylar Moody and Reese Calvo.

Meanwhile, Barbulescu and O'Neil dropped their Griffin Draw opener but bounced back to earn straight-set victories against William & Mary's Vaissaud/Svabikova and Pell/Debnam.

Lee and Webber competed in the Coastal Draw, falling in both of their contests against teams from JMU and ECU.

The Spiders will continue their fall slate Sept. 19-21 at the Elon Invitational.

Fall Records (through ITA Hall of Fame Classic, Sept. 13-14)

Singles