BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech men's tennis team earned its first win of the season against ODU this afternoon.
The Hokies (1-1) started strong with graduate student Mitch Harper and sophomore Matthis Ross earning a win on Court 3 in doubles competition, but the Monarch's (0-5) No. 25 ranked pair of Luca Maldoner and Nicola Vidal secured the doubles point for the Monarchs.
After dropping another point on Court 1, the Hokies had a resurgence winning four straight matches.
Graduate student Alex Ribeiro held his own with a 6-4, 6-2 win on Court 3. Freshman Alvaro Saez-Royuela Ariza showed determination by winning a tiebreak in the first set before clinching in the second set, 7-6, 6-2. Fellow freshman Hugo Maia looked strong again on Court 4, handling his opponent 6-1, 7-5.
The team win was wrapped up when freshman Ryan Fishback earned his first career win in a dual match for the Hokies. After splitting the first two sets, Fishback closed out the deal in the third, winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
The Hokies will be back on the road Friday to face SEC foes Kentucky.
SINGLES
Luca Maldoner (ODU) def. Carlo Donato (VT) 6-4, 6-0
Tomislav Podvinski (ODU) def. Matthis Ross (VT) 7-6, 6-7, 6-4
Alex Ribeiro (VT) def. Younes Lalami (ODU) 6-4, 6-2
Hugo Maia (VT) def. Nicola Vidal (ODU) 6-1, 7-5
Alvaro Saez-Royuela Ariza (VT) def. Pearse Dolan (ODU) 7-6, 6-2
Ryan Fishback (VT) Jannik Giesse (ODU) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
DOUBLES
No. 25 Maldoner/Vidal (ODU) def. Chrysostom/Ribeiro 6-4
Giesse/Lalami (ODU) def. Donato/Kros (VT) 6-4
Harper/Ross (VT) def. Dolan/Podvinski (ODU) 6-3
Gallery: (2-2-2021) 2021 MEN'S TENNIS vs. ODU