RICHMOND, Va. – Elon University women's tennis couldn't overcome an early deficit and fell to the VCU Rams, 6-1, on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Thalhimer Tennis Center.
 
The Phoenix (6-5) got its lone win in singles action from Nicole Shiau at the No. 5 position. She picked up a 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (10-4) victory over Melissa Ifidzhen. Elon also battled in doubles after falling quickly on the top court. VCU (7-2) clinched the doubles point with a close 6-4 win at No. 3 when No. 2 doubles was in a tight 5-4 contest before the point was captured.
 
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Due to rain in the forecast on Sunday, Elon's rescheduled match at Richmond has been cancelled and will not be made up.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
VCU took the doubles point with wins on courts one and three. After No. 1 duo of Anna Rasmussen and Ifidzhen earned a 6-0 win, Noumea Witmus and Sofia Sualehe claimed a 6- victory on court three to clinch the point for the Rams. Uma Nayar and Shiau were in a battle at No. 2 trailing 5-4 when the point was clinched.
 
In singles action, VCU picked up wins on courts one, two and three to clinch the victory. Marina Alcaide Bakkari earned the decisive win at No. 3 with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Nayar.
 
After the Rams took a 5-0 lead, Shiau defeated Ifidzhen in a third set tiebreaker to earn a 6-3, 1-6, 10-4 at the No. 5 position. VCU would then win on court six to complete the 6-1 victory.
 
UP NEXT
The Phoenix closes out its road swing on Thursday, Feb. 28, with a contest at Campbell. That matchup is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
 
VCU 6 Elon 1
 
Doubles Results
1. Anna Rasmussen/Melissa Ifidzhen (VCU) def. Alex Koniaev/Maria Paraja (ELON) 6-0
2. Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado/Kanako Yano (VCU) vs. Uma Nayar/Nicole Shiau (ELON) 5-4, DNF
3. Noumea Witmus/Sofia Sualehe (VCU) def. Suzanne Zenoni/Olivia Archer (ELON) 6-4
 
Singles Results
1. Paola Exposito Diaz-Delgado (VCU) def. Suzanne Zenoni (ELON) 6-1, 6-1
2. Anna Rasmussen (VCU) def. Maria Paraja (ELON) 6-1, 6-1
3. Marina Alcaide Bakkari (VCU) def. Uma Nayar (ELON) 6-4, 6-1
4. Kanako Yano (VCU) def. Alex Koniaev (ELON) 6-2, 6-3
5. Nicole Shiau (ELON) def. Melissa Ifidzhen (VCU) 6-3, 1-6, 10-4
6. Noumea Witmus (VCU) def. Olivia Archer (ELON) 4-6, 6-4, 10-8
 
Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3) Singles (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)