Saturday, March 30
Lynchburg, Va.
1:00 PM ET
Liberty University
4
vs
0
Richmond
No. 71 Liberty Tops Richmond 4-0, Complete Perfect 10-0 Home Spring Season
3/30/2024 7:32:00 PM | Women's Tennis
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The No. 71 Lady Flames tennis team downed Richmond 4-0 in its final match in Lynchburg this spring on Saturday afternoon. The match was held in windy conditions at the Liberty Tennis Complex.
Liberty finishes its 2024 spring season a perfect 10-0 at home. It is the most wins in an unbeaten home season (3-0 2008, 2009, 6-0 2019). The team also secured a 5-0 record against in-state programs this season. In 2024, along with Saturday's result, Liberty topped James Madison 4-0 (Feb. 4), VCU 4-3 (Feb. 17), Virginia Tech (March 17) and Radford 4-0 on Friday.
No. 71 Liberty (12-5) has won its past four matches with identical 4-0 scores, bookended with its 4-0 triumph over Richmond.
The Lady Flames secured the doubles point despite a 6-0 loss on court two. Liberty dominated the singles round with three quick triumphs on courts three, five and one.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-3 all-time against Richmond.
Thoughts from senior Tiffany Nguyen
"Our team did a really good job applying things we have been working on in practice. It's always difficult playing in the wind but I think we handled it well.
On Senior Day festivities this weekend
It means the world to me, it is emotional but when you are in a match, you don't have time to think about anything else. It's always really fun to watch my teammates close out sets and matches, they are super memorable moments.
On the growth of the program over her time at Liberty
"When you beat tougher teams, you grow confidence. When you walk into a match knowing what you are able to bring, it's a really cool feeling. It is really cool to know all the work and practice has led us to where we are. We have proven we can beat tough teams."
Thoughts from Head Coach Jeff Maren
"I think our team did a super job with some adversity. We had windy conditions, we didn't start particularly well in doubles but we righted the ship and were able to close out doubles. In singles, we started really well and finished strong."
On going 5-0 against in-state competition
"I definitely think we are one of the top programs in this state. I think we have proven that we are up at the top. UVA (Virginia) has a perennial top 10 type of team, I believe we are right behind that type of program and ahead of some others in this state. That is a testament to the hard work these girls have put in over the years. To God be the glory!"
#71 Liberty 4, Richmond 0
Singles Competition
1. M. Juliana P. Romero (LIBERTYW) def. Carly Cohen (RIC) 6-3, 6-2
2. Tiffany Nguyen (LIBERTYW) vs. Elizabeth Novak (RIC) 6-2, 4-4, unfinished
3. Esther Lovato (LIBERTYW) def. Lara Bakhaya (RIC) 6-1, 6-0
4. Marina Davtyan (LIBERTYW) vs. Polina Shitkova (RIC) 3-6, 4-2, unfinished
5. Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) def. Claire Le Du (RIC) 6-2, 6-3
6. Sadie Daavettila (LIBERTYW) vs. Lainey O'Neil (RIC) 4-6, 6-1, 1-1, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. M. Juliana P. Romero/Tiffany Nguyen (LIBERTYW) def. Elizabeth Novak/Claire Le Du (RIC) 6-3
2. Polina Shitkova/Lara Bakhaya (RIC) def. Priscila Janikian/Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) 6-0
3. Esther Lovato/Marina Davtyan (LIBERTYW) def. Lainey O'Neil/Carly Cohen (RIC) 6-0
Richmond 6-6
Liberty 12-5; National ranking #71
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (3,5,1)
T-2:12
Doubles
Singles
Up Next
No. 71 Liberty (12-5, 1-0 CUSA) sets off for its first-ever Conference USA road trip, visiting Middle Tennessee (9-10, 0-1 CUSA) Friday and Western Kentucky (11-7) Saturday. Friday's match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT first serve. Saturday's tilt is set for a 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT start.
Liberty finishes its 2024 spring season a perfect 10-0 at home. It is the most wins in an unbeaten home season (3-0 2008, 2009, 6-0 2019). The team also secured a 5-0 record against in-state programs this season. In 2024, along with Saturday's result, Liberty topped James Madison 4-0 (Feb. 4), VCU 4-3 (Feb. 17), Virginia Tech (March 17) and Radford 4-0 on Friday.
No. 71 Liberty (12-5) has won its past four matches with identical 4-0 scores, bookended with its 4-0 triumph over Richmond.
The Lady Flames secured the doubles point despite a 6-0 loss on court two. Liberty dominated the singles round with three quick triumphs on courts three, five and one.
The Lady Flames improve to 9-3 all-time against Richmond.
Thoughts from senior Tiffany Nguyen
"Our team did a really good job applying things we have been working on in practice. It's always difficult playing in the wind but I think we handled it well.
On Senior Day festivities this weekend
It means the world to me, it is emotional but when you are in a match, you don't have time to think about anything else. It's always really fun to watch my teammates close out sets and matches, they are super memorable moments.
On the growth of the program over her time at Liberty
"When you beat tougher teams, you grow confidence. When you walk into a match knowing what you are able to bring, it's a really cool feeling. It is really cool to know all the work and practice has led us to where we are. We have proven we can beat tough teams."
Thoughts from Head Coach Jeff Maren
"I think our team did a super job with some adversity. We had windy conditions, we didn't start particularly well in doubles but we righted the ship and were able to close out doubles. In singles, we started really well and finished strong."
On going 5-0 against in-state competition
"I definitely think we are one of the top programs in this state. I think we have proven that we are up at the top. UVA (Virginia) has a perennial top 10 type of team, I believe we are right behind that type of program and ahead of some others in this state. That is a testament to the hard work these girls have put in over the years. To God be the glory!"
#71 Liberty 4, Richmond 0
Singles Competition
1. M. Juliana P. Romero (LIBERTYW) def. Carly Cohen (RIC) 6-3, 6-2
2. Tiffany Nguyen (LIBERTYW) vs. Elizabeth Novak (RIC) 6-2, 4-4, unfinished
3. Esther Lovato (LIBERTYW) def. Lara Bakhaya (RIC) 6-1, 6-0
4. Marina Davtyan (LIBERTYW) vs. Polina Shitkova (RIC) 3-6, 4-2, unfinished
5. Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) def. Claire Le Du (RIC) 6-2, 6-3
6. Sadie Daavettila (LIBERTYW) vs. Lainey O'Neil (RIC) 4-6, 6-1, 1-1, unfinished
Doubles Competition
1. M. Juliana P. Romero/Tiffany Nguyen (LIBERTYW) def. Elizabeth Novak/Claire Le Du (RIC) 6-3
2. Polina Shitkova/Lara Bakhaya (RIC) def. Priscila Janikian/Maria Turchetto (LIBERTYW) 6-0
3. Esther Lovato/Marina Davtyan (LIBERTYW) def. Lainey O'Neil/Carly Cohen (RIC) 6-0
Richmond 6-6
Liberty 12-5; National ranking #71
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (3,5,1)
T-2:12
Doubles
- The two programs cancelled each other out exchanging 6-0 wins in the doubles round. Richmond grabbed the first win of the round on court two with Maria Turchetto and Priscila Janikian (3-2) falling to Polina Shitkova and Lara Bakhaya.
- Liberty swiftly responded on court three to even the doubles point. Esther Lovato and Marina Davtyan (4-0) dominated Lainey O'Neal and Carly Cohen.
- Liberty managed to secure the doubles round with the help of a crucial break point up 4-3. Maria Juliana Parra Romero and Tiffany Nguyen (5-4) edged Elizabeth Novak and Claire Le Du 6-3.
Singles
- Senior Lovato (9-4) secured career win No. 116 to start the singles round for Liberty. The senior cruised on court three, topping Bakhaya 6-1, 6-0.
- Freshman Maria Turchetto (8-6) increased the Lady Flames lead to 3-0 in the No. 5 singles match. Turchetto bested Le Du 6-2, 6-3.
- Parra Romero (8-3) secured the match-winning fourth point on court one. The junior methodically beat Cohen 6-3, 6-2, leading as much as 5-0 in the second set.
- Richmond secured a first set victory on courts four and six at the time the match was clinched.
- Sadie Daavettila (4-3) was tied 1-1 in the third set on court six when Liberty secured the triumph.
- Senior Nguyen (3-5) was leading 6-2, 4-4 as her match went unfinished.
- Senior Davtyan (7-3) was fighting back after dropping the first set, finishing with a 3-6, 4-2 score.
Up Next
No. 71 Liberty (12-5, 1-0 CUSA) sets off for its first-ever Conference USA road trip, visiting Middle Tennessee (9-10, 0-1 CUSA) Friday and Western Kentucky (11-7) Saturday. Friday's match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT first serve. Saturday's tilt is set for a 1 p.m. ET/12 p.m. CT start.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
#1 Singles Match
12
Carly Cohen / 0 [RIC]
32
66
#2 Singles Match
123
Elizabeth Novak / 0 [RIC]
240
64UF
#3 Singles Match
12
Lara Bakhaya / 0 [RIC]
10
66
#4 Singles Match
123
Polina Shitkova / 0 [RIC]
620
34UF
#5 Singles Match
12
Claire Le Du / 0 [RIC]
23
66
#6 Singles Match
1234
Lainey O'Neil / 0 [RIC]
6110
461UF
Order of Finish:
3,5,1
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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