The Virginia women’s tennis team was eliminated from the NCAA Women’s Tennis Championship after a 4-1 loss to Louisiana State University on May 9. The match took place at the Virginia Tennis Facility at the Boar’s Head Resort.
The result ends Virginia’s season, with the seventh-seeded Cavaliers finishing with a record of 23-6. LSU, seeded tenth, advances further in the tournament after securing key wins in both doubles and singles play.
Virginia started strong as Melodie Collard and Vivian Yang won their doubles match on the top court, but LSU came back to take courts two and three for an early lead. In singles, LSU extended its advantage by winning matches on courts three and four before Annabelle Xu gave Virginia its only point with a straight-sets victory over Kayla Cross. Cadence Brace clinched the win for LSU by defeating Vivian Yang.
Head coach Sara O’Leary said, “Congrats to LSU. I thought they played a really good match. On big moments, they were really tough, especially in that doubles. But I’m super proud of the team and everything they accomplished this year. There’s just so much to be proud of and they’re such an amazing group. I feel for our seniors, so just thinking of them.”
With her doubles win during this match, fifth-year player Melodie Collard tied Erin Vierra (2010-13) for most doubles wins in program history at 129.
As the season concludes for Virginia, players and coaches reflect on their achievements while seniors prepare to move forward.
