VCU Tennis Rolls Past Morgan State As Emporia State Softball And High Point Lacrosse Set For Big Weekend

The sports scene is buzzing this week with a flurry of collegiate action, as teams across tennis, softball, and lacrosse gear up for pivotal early-season showdowns. With the winter chill still in the air, athletes and fans alike are bracing for intense competition, unexpected challenges, and the promise of thrilling moments on and off the field.

Let’s start with the VCU Rams women’s tennis team, who put on a dominant display against Morgan State University on February 4, 2026, in their fourth matchup of the 2025-26 campaign. The Rams, riding high on a two-game winning streak, came out swinging in doubles play. Second-year Sara Alba and first-year Viktoria Lackova wasted no time, dispatching Morgan State’s Amira Bargaoui and Angelina Joao with a resounding 6-0 win. According to Lackova, “Sara and I practice a lot of doubles together, so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses the best.” That chemistry certainly paid off on court.

Meanwhile, the duo of Andrea Magallanes and Sofia Jane Thorne added to the Rams’ momentum, taking down Lauryn Hall and Marta Serra Carles 6-2. The third doubles match, featuring Mariam Ibrahim and Elicia Kim, was unfinished but saw the Rams leading 5-2 against Damla Arsian and Tyler Williams—further evidence of VCU’s early dominance.

Singles play saw VCU’s depth shine. Elicia Kim, making her debut as a Ram, captured the first singles point by defeating Damla Arslan 6-0, 6-2. Kim expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m adjusting pretty great; Overall I love the team, the environment is great, I love the coaching staff, I’m loving it here.” Mariam Ibrahim kept the momentum rolling with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Julia Jeffrey, pushing the Rams to three team points. Viktoria Lackova followed with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Amira Bargaoui, extending the lead to 4-0.

The drama heated up on court one, where Jane Thorne and Michaela Stephens traded blows in a nail-biting contest. Thorne took the first set 7-5, only for Stephens to answer with a 7-5 win of her own. In the deciding set, Thorne surged ahead, winning 10-2. Reflecting on her performance, Thorne remarked, “Showing expression on the court is natural, but if I spend too much effort complaining and being mentally negative, then that also tires me out.”

Magallanes and Alba rounded out the singles sweep. Magallanes rebounded from a first-set loss to win 6-7, 6-1, 10-6 against Serra Carles, and Alba clinched a comeback victory over Hall, 5-7, 6-3, 10-6. The final tally? A resounding 7-0 win for VCU, extending their streak to three consecutive victories and putting the rest of their conference on notice.

Head coach Rifanty Kahfiani wasn’t letting her squad rest on their laurels. “I do not want our team to settle with what we’re doing right now,” she emphasized. “If my players believe that they’re good, I want them to be great. If my players believe they’re great then I want them to be better than great. There’s always room for improvement, even if it’s just by 1%.” The Rams now look ahead to a road test against Marshall University on February 8—a matchup that promises to test their mettle once again.

Shifting gears to the diamond, the Emporia State Hornets softball team is preparing for a marathon at the Alvy Early Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas, from February 6 through February 8, 2026. The Hornets enter the tournament with a 4-1 record, riding high after outscoring opponents 31-7 during the Lone Star Classic in Mansfield, Texas. Their only stumble came in a tight 2-1 loss to (RV) Southern Arkansas, but otherwise, Emporia State has been firing on all cylinders.

Offensively, Brooke Flewelling has been nothing short of electric, already launching three home runs and posting a .588 batting average through five games. She’s joined by reliable returners Karli Wehunt, Sydney Wagner, Avery Brewer, and Taryn Burkhardt—all boasting averages above .300. Newcomer Elina Bartlett, who transferred from Barton CC, has made an immediate impact, hitting .545 and reaching base in nine of her first 14 plate appearances.

In the circle, the Hornets’ pitching staff is showing impressive depth. Izzy Sloan, Chloe Wilson, and Hannah Butterbaugh have combined for 27.1 of the team’s 31 innings, each maintaining ERAs below 1.85. Butterbaugh is off to a 3-0 start, Wilson has been sharp with a 1.40 ERA, and Sloan has tossed six shutout innings, surrendering just four hits.

The Hornets’ schedule at the Alvy Early Classic is packed: they’ll face the William Jewell Cardinals, Arkansas Tech Golden Suns, Truman State Bulldogs, Harding Bisons, St. Mary’s Rattlers, and Arkansas-Monticello Blossoms over three days. Each opponent brings its own challenges—William Jewell is led by Amanda Chung (.411 average in 2025), Arkansas Tech boasts Aubree Jones (.400, two home runs), and Truman State returns sluggers Cassie Smith (.418) and Emily Wood (.399, seven homers). Harding, St. Mary’s, and Arkansas-Monticello all feature potent lineups and strong pitching, ensuring Emporia State will need to stay sharp.

Emporia State’s tradition of thriving in close games could be a difference-maker. Last season, they played 17 one-run games, winning nine—including two in extra innings. Their program history is storied, with NCAA Division II National Runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2008, and a legacy of regional and national championships stretching back to the 1980s. As the Hornets look to add another chapter, the Alvy Early Classic will be a telling early-season test.

Meanwhile, High Point University is set for an action-packed Family Weekend at Vert Stadium, with both women’s and men’s lacrosse teams opening their seasons at home. Due to icy and snowy conditions as of February 5, stadium bleacher seats are off-limits for safety, so fans are encouraged to bring their own chairs for the concourse. In a nod to school spirit, everyone attending will receive a free lavender beanie, and both games are open to the public at no charge. For those unable to brave the winter weather, live streaming and stats are available online.

The women’s lacrosse team faces a formidable challenge in #14 Duke on February 6 at 4:00 p.m. The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 7-1 and won last year’s meeting 17-6, but with a fresh season underway, anything can happen. The men’s team squares off against Virginia Military Institute on February 7 at noon. High Point has dominated VMI historically, leading the series 11-0, and eked out a thrilling 12-11 victory in their last encounter. With both teams starting at 0-0, the stage is set for new heroes to emerge.

As the weekend unfolds, eyes will be on these student-athletes as they battle for early-season momentum, pride, and a head start in their respective schedules. Whether it’s the crack of a bat, the thwack of a tennis ball, or the roar of the lacrosse crowd, the spirit of competition is alive and well—no matter what the weather brings.