Spiders Secure Spot in Women’s Tennis Championship Final

The Richmond Spiders secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over the Fordham Rams in the Atlantic 10 Women’s Tennis Championship semifinals, advancing to the final where they will face the Massachusetts Minutewomen. The match was filled with intense competition and impressive performances from both teams.

Richmond got off to a strong start in doubles play, with Claire Le Du and Andrea Campodonico dominating their opponents with a 6-0 victory. However, Fordham fought back, winning on court three and two to take the early lead. The Spiders took first-set wins in five of the six courts, setting the stage for a competitive singles showdown.

Leonor Oliveira of Richmond showed resilience as she bounced back from a second-set stumble to secure a crucial win, leveling the match score at 1-1. Campodonico then put the Spiders ahead with a hard-fought victory on court one. The teams continued to trade wins, with Eleni Fasoula of Fordham and Lara Bakhaya battling it out in a deciding frame.

In the end, it was Richmond senior Polina Shitikova who emerged as the hero, clinching the victory on court six after a thrilling tiebreak in the third set. The Spiders’ triumph marks their first appearance in the A-10 Championship final since 2021, setting the stage for an exciting showdown with Massachusetts. The stage is set for an epic final match as Richmond looks to claim the championship title.