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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
VCU
Atlantic 10 Champions! Tennis Knocks Out VCU 4-2
April 30, 2017 | Tennis
Minutewomen win first title since 2001 advancing to NCAA Tournament.
The result adds a storybook finish for head coach Judy Dixon who announced prior to the season that she would retire at the end of her 25th year coaching UMass tennis. She coached the previous Atlantic 10 Championship team in 2001 and has been named the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year on five occasions in her career.
"This meant everything to us; after last year's finish, we just had it in our heads that we needed to push and push this year," said Dixon following the match. "This team has fought all year every moment. Whether we won 4-3 or lost 4-3, there isn't one time where I've had to say 'Pick it up'. Today, I think it was all about them believing in themselves. From two years ago (loss to VCU in A-10 title match), especially for the seniors who were there then, their belief stemmed from that match. The people who came through today are the ones who have done it all year long. To me, this is truly a team victory because everyone fought so hard today."Â
"This means the world to us; we've put so much into this and it has been all of our dreams to win a championship title," said Woosley.Â
Woosley sealed the title for UMass (12-7) in dramatic fashion. After losing her first set at No. 4 singles, the senior battled back to win her second set 6-4. She led 3-1 in the third set before VCU's Darya Berezhnaya fought back to tie at 3-3.  The 58 minute match saw Woosley win the next two games to go up 5-3. Berezhnaya fought back to tie the ninth game 40-40, but the native of West Sussex, England played a cross-court backhand that was returned out-of-bounds. As she realized the match-securing point was hers, Woosley collapsed on the court as her teammates ran over to mob her in celebration.
The win was also in part to fellow senior Brittany Collens who also battled back in three-sets at No. 6 singles to put UMass up 3-2. Collens fell in a tightly contested first set (7-6) before taking the second set 6-0. Her third set was a 6-2 decision for the go-ahead point.
VCU (16-9) won the opening doubles point by virtue of victories at No. 1 and No. 2 play. Ana Yrazusta and Laura Moreno won at No. 3 and No. 4 singles in straight sets giving UMass a 2-1 lead. The Rams then tied the match after a win at No. 2 singles.
At No. 1 singles, freshman Janja Kovacevic did a brilliant job fending off VCU's ace in Janina Braun. The match saw Braun win 7-6 in the first set before Kovacevic came back 7-5 in the second set. It was tied 2-2 in the third set when Woosley won the match-point.
The full NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Tuesday, May 2 along with first and second round site locations.
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For complete coverage of the UMass tennis team, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassTennis and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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2017 ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE WOMEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS | ORLANDO, FL
RESULTS - SUNDAY, APRIL 30
MATCH #13
#2 MASSACHUSETTS def. #1 VCU, 4-2
SINGLES
1. Janja Kovacevic (UMASS) vs. Janina Braun (VCU), 6-7 (6), 7-5, 2-2 (DNF)
2. Anna Rasmusson (VCU) def. Ruth Crawford (UMASS), 6-4, 7-5
3. Ana Yrazusta (UMASS) def. Magda Aubets (VCU), 7-5, 6-3
4. Anna Woosley (UMASS) def. Darya Berezhnaya (VCU), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Laura Moreno (UMASS) def. Noumea Witmus (VCU), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
6. Brittany Collens (UMASS) def. Isabella Camargo (VCU), 6-7 (2), 6-0, 6-2
Order of Finish: 3, 5, 2, 6, 4
DOUBLES
1. Janina Braun/Anna Rasmussen (VCU) def. Ruth Crawford/Anna Woosley (UMASS), 6-3
2. Darya Berezhnaya/Magda Aubets (VCU) def. Ana Yrazusta/Janja Kovacevic (UMASS), 6-4
3.Brittany Collens/Laura Moreno (UMASS) vs. Noumea Witmus/Isabella Camargo (VCU), 5-5 (DNF)
Order of Finish: 1,2
Players Mentioned
