BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech (10-13, 1-12) prepares for a rematch against No. 42 Clemson in the first round of the ACC Championship in Cary, N.C., at 10 a.m., Wednesday.
The Hokies come into this first round matchup looking to snap an eight-match losing streak to advance to the second round for the first time since the 2020-21 campaign.
Özlem Uslu has been a force for Tech this season compiling a 16-5 record with five nationally ranked wins. The freshman phenom was named ACC Player of the Week in the beginning of April following a 2-0 weekend that included wins against No. 7 Carol Lee of Georgia Tech and a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, victory over Clemson's Eleni Louka. Uslu was listed as the No. 49 player in this weeks ITA poll.
Last time the Tigers and Hokies clashed Tech battled back from a 3-1 hole to tie the match at three all to set up a decisive match on court two. Tamara Barad Itzhaki put forth a valiant effort taking the first set after winning the tiebreak but couldn't put together complete set, falling in the third set, 7-5, giving Clemson the 4-3 win.
The Tigers come into the tournament on a four-match losing streak with their most recent loss coming against Florida State on Senior Day, 4-1. Clemson has two singles players that are ranked within the ITA rankings, No. 113 Daniella Medvedeva and No. 124 Eleni Louka.
Medvedeva leads the Tigers this season with a 17-5 record in singles highlighted by an impressive 4-1 mark against ranked opponents.
