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Firebirds Battle Hard in 4-3 Setback to West Chester
Posted: Apr 09, 2025

Firebirds Battle Hard in 4-3 Setback to West Chester

Results

Washington, D.C. – In a tightly contested matchup, the University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team narrowly fell to West Chester University by a score of 4-3. The Firebirds showed heart and resilience, pushing multiple matches to three sets. Despite dropping all three doubles contests—including a pair of close 6-4 decisions—the Firebirds stormed back in singles.

The Golden Rams gained an early advantage by sweeping doubles play, though UDC kept the pressure high with two tightly contested matches. At No. 1 doubles, Célia Bastin and Polina Zelentsova battled but ultimately fell to Tingle/Cave, 6-4. Similarly, at No. 2, Claudia Bahamon Lopez and Lina Benjelloun pushed Lerario dos Santos/Manful but came up just short, also 6-4. West Chester secured the third doubles point by default.

Despite the 1-0 deficit heading into singles, the Firebirds responded with tenacity. 

At No. 1 singles, sophomore Polina Zelentsova fought her way back from an early setback. After dropping the first set, she regrouped and mounted a comeback to defeat Delaney Tingle 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

Célia Bastin, slotted at No. 2, delivered another three-set thriller. After losing the opener, she turned the momentum and edged out Ashleigh Grooms 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

UDC's third point came at No. 4 singles, where Lina Benjelloun defeated Gabriella Lerario dos Santos. She dominated the match from start to finish with a 6-2, 6-0 victory.

Unfortunately, the Golden Rams sealed the match with wins at No. 3 and No. 5 singles. Claudia Bahamon Lopez started strong at No. 3 but was unable to close out, falling 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to Alexandra Cave. Nadja Zmukic, competing at No. 5, dropped a tough match to Felicia Manful 7-5, 6-3. West Chester picked up a default point at No. 6 singles.

Doubles

  1. Tingle/Cave (WCU) def. Bastin/Zelentsova 6-4
  2. Lerario dos Santos/Manful (WCU) def. Bahamon Lopez/Benjelloun 6-4
  3. Perrin/Haupt (WCU) def. default

 

Singles

  1. Polina Zelentsova def. Delaney Tingle (WCU) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
  2. Célia Bastin def. Ashleigh Grooms (WCU) 4-6, 6-2, 7-5
  3. Alexandra Cave (WCU) def. Claudia Bahamon Lopez 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
  4. Lina Benjelloun def. Gabriella Lerario dos Santos (WCU) 6-2, 6-0
  5. Felicia Manful (WCU) def. Nadja Zmukic 7-5, 6-3
  6. Rachel Haupt (WCU) def. default

Order of Completion

Doubles: 3, 1, 2

Singles: 6, 4, 3, 5*, 1, 2

UDC (9-7) looks to bounce back in a mathc up against Virginia State University at the UDC Tennis Courts on Monday, April 14.