Army Women’s Tennis Defeats Air Force for Silver Star, 11 Straight and Army Sings Second

Lake Nona, FL – The Army West Point women’s tennis team delivered an electrifying performance under the lights on Saturday night, outlasting rival Air Force 4-2 in a battle worthy of the Silver Star. With the stakes high and the atmosphere charged at the USTA National Campus, the Black Knights showcased relentless determination and championship poise to claim their third straight Silver Star in this storied series. Fresh off a confidence-building victory against Tampa, Army’s squad proved once again they thrive when the pressure is on, using clutch doubles play and gritty singles comebacks to come out on top.

This One Means More

This wasn’t just another match – it was a marathon of endurance, resolve, and heart. Three singles duels stretched well past the two-hour mark, with sneakers squeaking on the gritty surface and humid night air clinging to every breath. Four of the six courts demanded a third set to break the deadlock. On Court 4, Emily Ruckno embodied Army’s fighting spirit, clawing back from a set down to deliver the first singles point and tie the match at 2-2. Moments later, Stacey Samonte’s grit shone through as she stormed to a 6-3 finish in her third set, swinging the momentum firmly in Army’s favor.

With the spotlight intensifying, the drama peaked on Courts 2 and 5. Sophomore Ylan Duong turned in the night’s signature performance, clawing her way back in the third set after falling behind 2-0. Facing break point at 2-2, Duong chased down a drop shot and fired a running forehand winner down the line, igniting cheers from her teammates. Later, locked in a tense rally at 4-3, she stood her ground through eight exchanges before whipping a backhand past her opponent to secure another crucial game. Her 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-3 triumph over Nadia Kojonroj sparked jubilation on the Army sideline and officially sealed the victory as the rivalry’s anthem rang out. Nearby, Vennmukiil Mathivanan was locked in a third-set thriller of her own, but with the match clinched, her duel went unfinished as the Black Knights’ celebration began.

With the win, Army extends its dominance in the biannual rivalry, notching three straight victories over the Falcons. For the senior class, it’s a legacy moment – the group will graduate never tasting defeat against Air Force, closing their careers with an unblemished 2-0 record in the series.

Full Results:

Army 4, Air Force 2

Doubles

1. Madison Smith / Stacey Samonte (Army) def. Arianna Vanhouweling / Shivaani Selvan (Air Force): 6-4
2. Abigale Cotuna / Sofia Mavor (Air Force) def. Emily Ruckno / Olivia Mellynchuk (Army): 6-0
3. Vennmukiil Mathivanan / Ylan Duong (Army) def. Nadia Kojonroj / Chaeyule Kang (Air Force): 6-3

Black Knights Recent News:

• Army Women’s Tennis Sweeps UT, 4-0, Wins 10th Straight Ahead of Rival Air Force Showdown

• Army Finishes the Sweep and Runs American Off the Floor, 86-56

• Army Black Knights Fall to American for Fourth Straight Loss, 75-63 Road Setback

• Clemson Rolled in Game 2 and Blanked Army 10-0 to Take Control of the Series

• Army Had No. 19 Clemson on the Ropes—Then One Mistake Flipped Opening Day

Singles

1. Abigale Cotuna (Air Force) def. Madison Smith (Army): 6-4, 6-3
2. Vennmukiil Mathivanan (Army) DNF vs. Sofia Mavor (Air Force): 5-7, 6-3, 4-5
3. Arianna Vanhouweling (Air Force) def. Emma Sy (Army): 6-3, 6-2
4. Emily Ruckno (Army) def. Chaeyule Kang (Air Force): 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Ylan Duong (Army) def. Nadia Kojonroj (Air Force): 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-3
6. Stacey Samonte (Army) def. Shivaani Selvan (Air Force): 6-2, 2-6, 6-3

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Up Next

Seeking to ride the momentum from an inspiring Silver Star victory, Army returns home next weekend to host Marist (Feb. 21) and Quinnipiac (Feb. 22). The Black Knights will also travel to Rutgers on Feb. 21, determined to build on their winning form and extend their early-season success.

Bad Dawg Sports: Real reporting – Real access – No nonsense

Orlando didn’t hand out a routine dual-match win—it handed out a rivalry test under the lights. Army passed it again, and Ylan Duong delivered the clincher that brought the Silver Star back to the Black Knights. Want every boom and echo? Don’t miss our upcoming coverage—where we break down every ripple, every shockwave, and what it means for the season ahead.

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