O’Neil’s Singles Performance Clinches Season’s First win for Women’s Tennis

Saturday, January 27

Richmond, Va.

3 p.m.

University of Richmond

Navy

Lainey O'Neil waiting to return a serve during a tennis match

O’Neil’s Singles Performance Clinches Season’s First win for Women’s Tennis

01/27/2024 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Lainey O'Neil handled business on singles court six to clinch the first win for the University of Richmond Women's Tennis team this season. The Spiders defeated Navy 4-3 at the Raintree Swim and Racquet Club to improve to 1-2 on the year while Navy fell to 2-1.

How it Happened
In doubles, Claire Le Du and Elizabeth Novak defeated Lee/Shanker (NAVY) 6-1 on court two to open the match while Lara Bakhaya and Polina Shitikova put up a hard fought battle on court one, but fell 6-3 over Chaudry/Johns (NAVY). Spider duo Carly Cohen and Lainey O'Neil solidified the doubles point for UR, downing Cheng/Fermo (NAVY) 7-5 on court three.

In singles, Shitikova put the Spiders up 2-0 with a 6-2, 6-2 win on court four over Ribaudo (NAVY), but the opposition brought one back on court two as Chaudry (NAVY) defeated Novak 6-1, 6-2 on court two. After Cohen dropped 6-2, 6-3 on court one against Tannenbaum (NAVY) and Johns (NAVY) defeated Leonor Oliveira on court three 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Bakhaya tied the game at three on court five 6-0, 6-2 over Shanker (NAVY), and O'Neil picked up her first collegiate match-winning clinch on court six, downing K. Lee (NAVY) 6-4, 6-2.

From Head Coach Jacob Dunbar
"Our team bounced back very well today and proved who we can be as a team. I am very happy with how they competed and for what's to come throughout the rest of the season."

Richmond Women's Tennis Match Results
Richmond vs Navy
Jan. 27, 2024 at Richmond, Va.
(Raintree Swim and Racquet Club)

Richmond 4, Navy 3

Singles Competition

Emily Tannenbaum (NAVY) def. Carly Cohen (RIC) 6-2,6-3
Sia Chaudry (NAVY) def. Elizabeth Novak (RIC) 6-1, 6-2
Samantha Johns (NAVY) def. Leonor Oliveira (RIC) 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Polina Shitikova (RIC) def. Stella Ribaudo (NAVY) 6-2, 6-2
Lara Bakhaya (RIC) def. Parvathi Shanker (NAVY) 6-0, 6-2
Lainey O'Neil (RIC) def. Kate Lee (NAVY) 6-4, 6-2

Doubles Competition

Sia Chaudry/Samantha Johns (NAVY) def Lara Bakhaya/Polina Shitikova (RIC) 6-3
Claire Le Du/Elizabeth Novak (RIC) def. Kate Lee/Parvathi Shanker (NAVY) 6-1
Carly Cohen/Lainey O'Neil def. Makaila Cheng/Olivia Fermo (NAVY) 7-5

Match Notes
Richmond 1-2
Navy 2-1
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3) Singles (4,2,1,3,5,6)

Up Next
The Spiders will look to keep the momentum going on Feb. 3, as the team plays host to Bucknell at 3 p.m. at the Raintree Swim and Racquet Club.