Apr 29, 2017
Atlantic 10 Conference Semifinals
Score: #1 VCU 4, #5 Saint Louis 1
Location: Orlando, Fla. (USTA National Campus)
Records: VCU 16-8, Saint Louis 16-8
The short story: Janina Braun and Anna Rasmussen were dominant for VCU at the top of the lineup as they powered VCU to within striking distance of a sixth consecutive conference title via a 4-1 semifinal victory over Saint Louis Saturday in Orlando. VCU will meet second-seeded UMass for the A-10 Championship on Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m. That match will be televised on ESPN3.
FIRST SERVE
- Braun and Rasmussen powered past Eleonore and Verginie Tchakarova on the No. 1 doubles court as VCU cruised to the match's opening point.
- Rasmussen earned her second victory over Eleonore Tchakarova a short time later, dispatching the Saint Louis senior 6-2, 6-3 on the No. 2 singles court.
- Braun continued her outstanding play at the top single position. She defeated Aspen Cervin 6-4, 6-3. The VCU sophomore has won her last seven singles matches.
- Freshman Noumea Witmus also picked up her second singles win of the tournament when she rallied past Cassie McKenzie 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on the No. 5 court.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- VCU is now 15-0 in Atlantic 10 Tournament play since joining the league prior to the 2012-13 season.
- The Rams improved to 2-0 against Saint Louis this season.
- Braun is 25-7 in singles play this season, including 14-4 in dual matches.
- VCU will be in search of the ninth conference championship in program history Sunday.
RESULTS
#1 VCU 4, #5 SAINT LOUIS 1
Singles
1. Janina Braun (VCU) def. Aspen Cervin, 6-4, 6-3
2. Anna Rasmussen (VCU) def. Eleonore Tchakarova, 6-2, 6-3
3. Verginie Tchakarova (SLU) def. Magda Aubets, 6-1, 6-1
4. Ally McKenzie (SLU) vs. Darya Berezhnaya, 7-6(3), 1-6, DNF
5. Noumea Witmus (VCU) def. Cassie McKenzie,, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. Isabella Camargo (VCU) vs. Mariluz Rojo Domingo,, 7-5, 4-6, 1-0, DNF
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2, 5
#1 VCU 4, #5 SAINT LOUIS 1
Singles
1. Janina Braun (VCU) def. Aspen Cervin, 6-4, 6-3
2. Anna Rasmussen (VCU) def. Eleonore Tchakarova, 6-2, 6-3
3. Verginie Tchakarova (SLU) def. Magda Aubets, 6-1, 6-1
4. Ally McKenzie (SLU) vs. Darya Berezhnaya, 7-6(3), 1-6, DNF
5. Noumea Witmus (VCU) def. Cassie McKenzie,, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
6. Isabella Camargo (VCU) vs. Mariluz Rojo Domingo,, 7-5, 4-6, 1-0, DNF
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2, 5
Doubles
1. Janina Braun/Anna Rasmussen (VCU) def. Eleonore Tchakarova/Verginie Tchakarova, 6-3
2. Darya Berezhnaya/Magda Aubets (VCU) def. Aspen Cervin/Ariana Rodriguez, 6-4
3. Noumea Witmus/Isabella Camargo (VCU) vs. Ally McKenzie/Cassie McKenzie, 4-4, DNF
Order of Finish: 1, 2
