Old Dominion and Marshall Triumph in Sun Belt Conference Women’s Tennis Semifinals
ROME, Ga. – In an electrifying day at the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Women’s Tennis Championship, held at the Rome Tennis Center, both Old Dominion and Marshall emerged victorious in their respective semifinal matches, securing their places in the much-anticipated championship match scheduled for Sunday.
Old Dominion Dominates James Madison
Top-seeded and nationally ranked No. 46, Old Dominion displayed relentless determination as they swept James Madison 4-0, leaving no room for doubt. The Monarchs opened strongly, seizing every court and winning all sets.
Match Highlights:
- Doubles Dominance: The Sun Belt First Team All-Conference doubles pairing of Marina Markina and Kira Matushkina set the tone with a commanding 6-0 victory on court three, while Sofia Johnson and Victoria Matasova clinched another doubles win at 6-2 on court one.
- Singles Success: Leading the charge, Lidiia Rasskouskaia secured victory on court three with an impressive 6-1, 6-1 finish. Following her lead, Ulyana Romanova mirrored that performance on court four, winning 6-2, 6-3, placing Old Dominion just a match away from victory. Marina Markina capped off the perfect performance with a 6-1, 6-4 win on court six.
With the win, Old Dominion improved to 18-4, marking their third consecutive appearance in the title match.
Marshall Makes History Against Troy
In a thrilling second semifinal, Marshall, ranked No. 72 and seeded sixth, showcased their grit and resilience against Troy, sealing a 4-1 triumph and carving their place in the championship match for the first time in program history.
Match Highlights:
- Doubles Early Lead: Marshall started strong, winning all three doubles matches. Alina Mokrynskaya and Emma Vanderheyden triumphed with a score of 6-1, while the First Team All-Conference duo of Sophia Hurrion and Aisling McGrane also secured a 6-1 victory.
- Singles Showcase: Aisling McGrane opened singles with authority, finishing 6-3, 6-0, while Johanna Strom, another First Team All-Conference standout, followed suit with a decisive win at No. 1 singles, facilitating a strong 3-0 lead for the Thundering Herd.
- Despite a late effort from Troy, who secured a single point through Maria Guirguis (2-6, 6-4, 6-1), Mokrynskaya held her ground on court three with a comeback victory (2-6, 6-4, 6-2), sealing Marshall’s historic win at 20-5 for the season.
Championship Match-Up
Old Dominion and Marshall will collide on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with the championship match broadcast live on ESPN+. As both teams bring their unique strengths to the court, fans are in for an exhilarating showdown.
Tournament Recap & Upcoming Matches
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Tennis Championship
Location: Rome, Ga.
Semifinals Results:
- Old Dominion 4, James Madison 0
- Marshall 4, Troy 1
Final Match:
Old Dominion vs. Marshall
Date & Time: Sunday, April 27 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
As the excitement builds for the championship, make sure to tune in and witness these phenomenal athletes compete for the title! Follow the action to see whether Old Dominion can defend their title or if Marshall will secure a groundbreaking victory.
