BLACKSBURG, Va. - Despite a strong effort, the App State tennis team fell to Virginia Tech 5-2 in Friday's road dual.
Senior
Savannah Dada-Mascoll highlighted the afternoon for the Mountaineers (0-2) by registering a signature win at the No. 1 spot, defeating All-American Özlem Uslu in a three-set battle, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5. Freshman
Allegra Hodson also provided a bright spot, earning her first collegiate victory with a 6-3, 6-2 straight-set win at the No. 5 position.
How it Happened
The Mountaineers fell behind early after conceding the doubles point. The duo of Dada-Mascoll and
Naledi Manyube nearly erased a 4-1 deficit but ultimately fell short.
Trailing 1-0 entering singles play, App State struggled to regain momentum as Virginia Tech (1-0) took the first set in four of the six matches. Hodson finished her victory on Court 5 first to keep the Mountaineers in the hunt, but losses on Courts 2, 3 and 4 clinched the victory for the Hokies.
With the result decided and the Hokies leading 5-1, Dada-Mascoll battled through a back-and-forth tie-breaking set against Uslu. After reaching a 5-5 deadlock, Dada-Mascoll won two straight games to secure the final singles point for the Mountaineers.
Up Next
The Mountaineers return to the High Country Friday to face UNC Asheville. The match now serves as the team's home opener after Sunday's scheduled contest against VCU was postponed to March 6 due to inclement weather.
First serve at the App State Tennis Courts at the Appalachian 105 Complex is slated for 2 p.m.
The 2025-26 season is presented by Hound Ears Club.
Results:
(Doubles)
Arina Gamretkaia/Özlem Uslu (VT) def. #5
Savannah Dada-Mascoll/
Naledi Manyube (APP) | 6-4
Alston Myatt/Linda Ziets-Segura (VT) def.
Ruby Broadbent/
Taya Powell (APP) | 6-0
Elizaveta Castillo/Kirsten Woods (VT) def.
Sreenidhi Balaji/
Allegra Hodson (APP) | 6-4
(Singles)
#5
Savannah Dada-Mascoll (APP) def. Özlem Uslu (VT) | 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
Laima Frosch (VT) def.
Taya Powell (APP) | 6-1, 6-3
Arina Gamretkaia (VT) def.
Naledi Manyube (APP) | 6-2, 7-5
Elizaveta Castillo (VT) def.
Ruby Broadbent (APP) | 6-3, 6-2
Allegra Hodson (APP) def. Mila Mulready (VT) | 6-3, 6-2
Alston Myatt (VT) def.
Alexi Cleveland (APP) | 6-4, 6-2
