NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's tennis team edged cross-bay rival Hampton 4-3 on Wednesday afternoon, securing the Battle of the Bay victory.
The Spartans grabbed an early 1-0 advantage after claiming the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 and No. 2 flights.
Angelina Maniawska and
Elena Martinez Prado opened doubles play with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 before Hampton responded at No. 3. With the point on the line,
Yuliya Yurkova and
Ines Sabadie held off the Pirates' top pair 6-4 to secure the team lead.
Singles play remained tight throughout as the teams split the six flights. Hampton tied the match at 1-1 after a win at No. 3 singles, but the Spartans regained momentum when Martinez Prado earned a 7-5, 6-2 victory at No. 2 and Yurkova followed with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 decision at No. 1 to put NSU ahead 3-1.
Hampton answered at No. 4 singles to cut the deficit to 3-2, setting up a pivotal match at No. 5.
Sabina Iurea delivered the clinching point for Norfolk State, defeating Samira Khazieva 6-4, 6-3 to seal the rivalry win.
The Pirates took the final match at No. 6 singles, making the final score 4-3 in favor of the Spartans.
Women's Doubles
Women's Singles
- No. 1 - Yuliya Yurkova (NSU) def. Serena Bryan (HU) - 7-6 (7-3), 6-4
- No. 2 - Elena Martinez Prado (NSU) def. Tanya Midzi (HU) - 7-5, 6-2
- No. 3 - Toffee Ghorab (HU) def. Ines Sabadie (NSU) - 6-3, 6-1
- No. 4 - Chelsea Chakanyuka (HU) def. Irena Iurea (NSU) - 6-3, 6-2
- No. 5 - Sabina Iurea (NSU) def. Samira Khazieva (HU) - 6-4, 6-3
- No. 6 - Melis Sakiroglu (HU) def. Kayla Kennedy (NSU) - 6-4, 7-5
- Order of Finish – 3, 2, 1, 4, 5, 6
Up Next
The women return to action on the road Friday, Feb. 20, for a matchup against East Carolina at 1 p.m.
