Freshman women’s tennis player Aya Melhem was named Female Cavalier of the Month for October. A native of Rockvale, Tennessee (Blackman H.S.), Melhem garnered All-MEC Second Team honors in her first year as a Cav. Earning the most wins of any UVa-Wise women’s tennis player at No. 2 singles this season, Melhem went 4-2 in singles during the month of October. The righty also posted a 4-3 doubles record for the month, going 2-1 with fellow freshman Taylor Carter (Church Hill, Tenn.) and 2-2 with senior Bailey Christoforatos (Fredericksburg, Va.).
Melhem only lost one singles match to a MEC opponent during the month of October and scored wins over two All-MEC performers. She defeated first-team all-conference selection Elise Edwards of the University of Charleston, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-0 (10-8), back on Oct. 1 before taking down fellow second-teamer Marta Yevstakhevych of West Virginia State, 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8), in Wise on Oct. 16. The freshman showed her toughness by claiming three, three-set singles wins during the month.
In doubles, Melhem faltered only once against MEC opponents during the month of October while claiming three victories. With Christoforatos, Melhem gained one of the Cavs’ two matches won against West Liberty University in the opening round of the MEC Tournament as the duo defeated Raquel Cabero and Alaina Pauley, 8-6, at second doubles.
