Old Dominion tennis alum earns spot in French Open women’s singles tournament – Daily Press

Former Old Dominion star Yuliia Starodubtseva continues to make waves in the tennis world, securing a spot in her second major championship at the French Open in Roland Garros. The 144th-ranked player in the world defeated Canada’s Marina Stakusic in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, in the final round of qualifying on the clay courts of Paris.

This marks Starodubtseva’s second major main draw appearance this year, having previously qualified for the Australian Open in 2024. Despite some setbacks in previous tournaments, the Ukrainian player was in top form at Roland Garros, winning all six sets she played during the qualifying rounds.

In other tennis news, Christopher Newport University’s Tessa Trate has been invited to compete in the NCAA Division III singles championship tournament in St. Louis. The senior will join her teammate Raine Weis in both singles and doubles competitions, making it a memorable experience for the Captains.

On the golf front, Grant Sellers of McBee, South Carolina, leads the GPro Tour event in Hartford with a two-stroke advantage heading into the final round. Sellers, a former college standout, will look to maintain his lead and secure the championship at Albemarle Plantation in Hertford, North Carolina.

In football recruiting, Virginia Tech has landed quarterback Israel Hairston as a preferred walk-on. The talented player, who led William Byrd High to a state semifinal in 2023, chose the Hokies for their engineering program and the opportunity to continue his athletic career at the collegiate level.