WACO, TEXAS – In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Virginia women’s tennis seniors Elaine Chervinsky and Melodie Collard have decisively advanced to the final of the prestigious NCAA Doubles Championship, which is currently taking place at the Hurd Tennis Center from November 17-24 in Waco, Texas.
On Saturday, November 23, Chervinsky and Collard showcased their resilience by overcoming the formidable duo of Rachel Gailis and Alicia Dudeney from Florida, clinching victory with a score of 1-6, 6-3, [10-8]. This triumph catapults them into the Championship match on Sunday, where they will face the challenging 5-8 seed pairing of Olivia Center and Kate Fakih from UCLA. The much-anticipated match will commence following the NCAA Women’s Singles final, with the first serve scheduled not to occur before 1 p.m. ET.
After a rocky start in which they lost the first set, Chervinsky and Collard mounted a fierce comeback in the second, winning decisively at 6-3 to extend the contest into a match tiebreaker. Within this decisive tiebreak, the pair found themselves at a daunting 5-0 deficit, but they fought back valiantly to secure an 8-7 lead. Despite Gailis and Dudeney leveling the tiebreak at 8-all, Chervinsky and Collard exhibited their competitive spirit by claiming the final two crucial points, ultimately sealing the win and earning a coveted spot in the finals. Impressively, all four of their matches in this tournament have ended in a match tiebreak.
The talented duo began the tournament, facing off against No. 17 seeds Reece Carter and Alexia Jacobs from Washington, where they won a nail-biting match that ended 7-5, 2-6, 1-0 (7). Following this, they logged a hard-fought victory against Georgia’s Guillermina Grant and Aysegul Mert with scores of 6-2, 4-6, 1-0 (7), before defeating the 5-8 seed pairing of Carson Tanguilig and Susanna Maltby from UNC, thereby securing their place in the semifinals.
Making history, Collard and Chervinsky are the first UVA team to reach the final of the NCAA Doubles Championship and are now aiming to become the inaugural NCAA Doubles Champions in program history. Notably, Collard previously reached the semifinals in 2023, competing alongside her partner Julia Adams. The pair faced a setback last season, falling in the opening round of the championship.
Entering the tournament, Collard and Chervinsky were ranked No. 3 in the preseason doubles rankings but entered as unseeded competitors. This year’s championships mark the first time that both singles and doubles competitions are held in the fall, rather than following the NCAA team championship in the spring.
Chervinsky also excelled in the singles championship, making an impressive run to the quarterfinals after stunning the tournament’s top seed, Mary Stoiana from Texas A&M, in a commanding victory with scores of 6-3, 6-0 during the Round of 16. Earlier, she defeated the 9-16 seed Alexis Blokhina of Stanford in the Round of 32. With her notable quarterfinal performance, Chervinsky is set to earn prestigious ITA Singles All-America honors at the conclusion of the season.
This year, Virginia proudly had a program-record five players competing in the individual championships. Junior Annabelle Xu advanced to the second round in both the singles and doubles draws, the latter of which she played in tandem with freshman Martina Genis Salas. Additionally, grad student Sara Ziodato represented the team in singles but unfortunately fell in the first round of competition.
All participants in the NCAA Individual Championships earned their spots by qualifying through rigorous tournaments held throughout the fall, including the ITA All-American Championships, the ITA Regional Championships, and the ITA Sectionals.
The complete list of All-American student-athletes will be unveiled at the culmination of the 2024-25 season once all selection criteria have been fully met.
What strategies did you and Melodie focus on during your matches to overcome the challenges you faced in the NCAA Doubles Championship?
**Interview with Virginia Women’s Tennis Senior Elaine Chervinsky**
*Interviewer:* Thank you for joining us, Elaine! Congratulations on your remarkable journey to the finals of the NCAA Doubles Championship. Can you describe how it felt to secure your spot in the final match after such a dramatic semifinal?
*Elaine Chervinsky:* Thank you! It was an incredibly thrilling experience. After losing the first set 1-6, we knew we had to dig deep. Melodie and I communicated a lot and focused on our strengths in the second set, which we won 6-3. When we reached the tiebreak, being down 0-5 was tough, but we just decided to take it point by point, believing in our abilities. Winning those last two points to seal the match felt surreal!
*Interviewer:* That comeback was impressive! All of your matches in the tournament have gone to a match tiebreak. How do you maintain your composure under such pressure?
*Elaine Chervinsky:* It certainly puts you on edge! I think it comes down to trust—trust in Melodie and the work we’ve put in together. We’ve faced adversity before, so we try to channel that experience and remain positive, no matter the score. Plus, the thrill of competing at this level motivates us to stay focused and composed.
*Interviewer:* You two are making history as the first UVA team to reach the finals of the NCAA Doubles Championship! What does this achievement mean to you and your team?
*Elaine Chervinsky:* It means the world to us! We’ve worked so hard throughout the season, and to represent UVA on this stage is truly an honor. We’re excited to set a precedent for future teams and prove that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. We’ve got our sights set on winning this championship for our program and for all the support we’ve received.
*Interviewer:* Looking ahead, you’ll be facing a challenging pair from UCLA in the final. What preparations are you making for that match?
*Elaine Chervinsky:* We’re reviewing video footage and discussing strategies to give us the best chance. Our focus will be on playing our game and sticking to our strengths, rather than getting caught up in their past performances. It’s all about executing what we know works for us.
*Interviewer:* what advice would you give to younger players aspiring to compete at this level?
*Elaine Chervinsky:* Stay committed and be resilient. There will be ups and downs, but every match is a learning experience. Take every opportunity to grow and enjoy the journey, because this sport is incredibly rewarding. Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach out to your teammates and coaches for support.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Elaine! Best of luck in the final, and we’re all cheering for you and Melodie!
*Elaine Chervinsky:* Thank you so much! We appreciate the support!