Virginia women’s tennis has emerged as one of the strongest programs in the country — not just because of raw talent, but because of the variety of ways it can win. Freshman Martina Genis Salas has clinched tight singles sets using an underarm serve, and seniors Melodie Collard and Elaine Chervinsky won the doubles championship in the fall with dominant net play. The No. 7 Cavaliers, who closed out their regular season with a pounding of Virginia Tech Thursday, can win with creative shot-making, relentless net pressure and overwhelming depth.
Along with the strong team culture that has been crucial to Virginia’s dominance this season and in the past, the success has also been about fine-tuning strategic play. The Cavaliers have climbed to the top of the rankings — finishing second in the ACC — and will play in the ACC quarterfinals Friday in Cary, N.C..
One of Virginia’s biggest strengths has been its shot-making versatility, making the Cavaliers one of the most well-rounded teams in college tennis. It is not enough to have a lineup of players who can grind out long baseline rallies — it is also about having players who can adapt their games to different situations, making the team even more dangerous.
Some players, like Collard, are naturally inclined to backhand slice, drop shot and move forward to volley, while others, like graduate student Sara Ziodato, have expanded their game to include more variety in shot selection.
“She's improved her versatility,” O’Leary said about Ziodato in February. “Being able to use the slice, being able to come forward and volley, being able to handle when people slice against her.”
Even traditionally baseline-heavy players, like Genis Salas, have shown they can adjust when needed, as she did with her underarm slice serve in order to clinch the ACC opener against Clemson.
Beyond shot selection, Virginia specifically excels in transitioning from the baseline to the net. The Cavaliers’ ability to finish points at the net adds another dimension to their game, making them even more unpredictable and difficult to beat.
Additionally, their proficiency in winning net points allows them to shorten rallies and keep matches moving quickly — an essential advantage in the dual match format, where the first team to win a specific number of points across singles and doubles clinches the overall win. Moreover, the team that can wrap up points quickly by attacking the net has a significant edge in securing a faster, decisive victory.
Net play is also less common in women’s tennis, making Virginia’s embrace of it an advantage. A study of nearly one million collegiate tennis points found that men approached the net 108,424 times, compared to 75,494 for women. Net play was also more common among match winners, who accounted for 55 percent of all net points, while losers contributed 45 percent.
Another of Virginia’s idiosyncrasies is doubles training. O’Leary emphasizes doubles training more than most programs, giving her players an edge in approaching the net with confidence.
“I love doubles,” O’Leary said. “I think we work on doubles a lot in practice, actually maybe a little bit more than other teams. I think our players really love doubles … there's so much strategy that goes along with it.”
This emphasis translates directly into singles play, where Virginia’s players use their volleying skills to shorten points, apply pressure and disrupt opponents’ rhythms.
Collard is a prime example of this aggressive net play paying off. Known for her ability to grind through three-set battles, Collard has used her doubles experience to make net play a key weapon in singles. She is currently undefeated in three-set singles matches this year, including a recent one March 30 against Notre Dame, in which she lost the first set but adjusted by coming forward more in the second and third, unsettling her opponent and ultimately securing the win.
Junior Annabelle Xu takes a similar approach, confidently closing points at the net to avoid drawn-out rallies. With multiple players comfortably finishing at the net, Virginia’s strategy is flexible in ways that many teams’ is not.
Another example of how the Cavaliers control matches is their strategic use of angles. Instead of relying solely on power, Virginia’s players excel at placing the ball precisely, opening up the court and forcing opponents out of position to set up a winner.
Sophomore Blanca Pico Navarro showcased this skill in her match Feb. 23 against Georgia Tech, where her precise ball placement — hitting deep into the corners and pulling her opponent off the court — proved to be the difference-maker. By prioritizing placement over speed, Virginia’s players keep opponents on the run, dictating points with smart shot selection rather than sheer force.
But what truly amplifies all of Virginia’s strengths is the team’s extraordinary depth. The Cavaliers are dangerous from top to bottom, with every player capable of executing these advanced strategies. Depth is a crucial factor in college tennis, where every point carries significant weight in the clinch-scoring format. The Cavaliers have embraced this advantage.
“Our team is so deep,” Xu said. “I think that’s been one of our biggest strengths all season, knowing that every time we step on the court, every single person at every spot has a chance to win.”
Beyond tactics and depth, Virginia’s success is also defined by its ability to thrive under pressure. They embrace high-stakes moments and deliver when it matters most.
Chervinsky and Collard exemplified this clutch mentality when they partnered to win the first NCAA Doubles Championship in program history, winning all five of their tournament matches in third-set 10-point tiebreakers.
Heading into the postseason, Virginia will aim to tap into the strong culture and mental toughness that set the foundation for success and the strategic execution that truly sets them apart. The Cavaliers don’t just outlast opponents — they outplay them.
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