BLACKSBURG, VA. -- Furman slayed Virginia Tech, 4-1, Saturday at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center in Blacksburg, Va. With the victory, the Paladins (5-4) extend their winning streak to four matches after defeating Alabama, No. 16 Wake Forest, No. 18 South Carolina, then the Hokies (1-3) over the past week.
The Paladins came from behind for wins at flights one and two doubles to claim the opening point. Senior Katarina Kozarov and junior Julia Adams, who rank 27th nationally, held off 58th-ranked Elizabet Danailova and Nika Kozar, 6-4, at number one, and senior MaryAnn Rompf and junior Madison Dillon beat Rita Pinto and Nina Sorkin, 6-3, at flight two. The Hokies took the victory at flight three, where Katie Andreini and Erika Cheng topped freshmen Ellie Schoppe and Ilayda Baykan, 6-2.
In singles action, 15th-ranked Kozarov jumped out to a quick 6-0, 6-1 win over Kozar at flight one, then Tamara Barad Itzhaiki defeated Dillon, 7-6(3), 6-0, to put Virginia Tech on the board. Adams recorded a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 advantage over Pinto at flight two, before Rompf held off Sabina Richtrova, 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-2, to clinch the team victory.
Matches at flights five and six were unfinished. Sophomore Maggie Pate and Sorkin were tied entering a third set after each won one set, 7-5, and Schoppe held a 1-6, 6-0, 3-2 advantage over Andreini at number six.
Furman will play at Marshall on Sunday. First serve is set for 11 a.m. in Huntington, W. Va.
Singles competition
1. #15 Katarina Kozarov (FUR) def. Nika Kozar (VT) 6-0, 6-1
2. Julia Adams (FUR) def. Rita Pinto (VT) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
3. Tamara Barad Itzhaki (VT) def. Madison Dillon (FUR) 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
4. MaryAnn Rompf (FUR) def. Sabina Richtrova (VT) 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-2
5. Nina Sorkin (VT) vs. Maggie Pate (FUR) 7-5, 5-7, unfinished
6. Katie Andreini (VT) vs. Ellie Schoppe (FUR) 6-1, 0-6, 2-3, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. #27 Julia Adams/Katarina Kozarov (FUR) def. #58 Elizabet Danailova/Nika Kozar (VT) 6-4
2. Madison Dillon/MaryAnn Rompf (FUR) def. Rita Pinto/Nina Sorkin (VT) 6-3
3. Katie Andreini/Erika Cheng (VT) def. Ellie Schoppe/Ilayda Baykan (FUR) 6-2
Match Notes: Furman 5-4 • Virginia Tech 1-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (1,3,2,4)
