While Guzal Yusupova clinched the final match and secured the Orange’s sixth straight win, it was the resilience of Sofya Golubovskaya in her home debut that could have long term consequences for Syracuse’s season

Syracuse (6-0, 1-0 ACC) has struggled to stay healthy so far this season, including ankle injuries to both Polina Kozyreva and Sonya Treshcheva. And on Saturday, with Boston College  (7-2, 0-2 ACC) visiting Drumlins Country Club, the Orange prevailed despite injuries once again. One of Syracuse’s key pieces, Golubovskaya, had been sidelined for the past month. The junior made her 2020 home debut at the No. 3 doubles with Zeynep Erman and No. 2 singles Saturday. While her doubles game went unfinished, and she ultimately fell in singles play, the health and success of Golubovskaya will be vital for the Orange going forward.

“It was this morning,” said Syracuse head coach Younes Limam on when they knew Golubovskaya would play. “We talked to her, we talked to our trainer and she said I’ll do anything for our team and she sure did.”

During her return with Erman in their match against Boston College’s Hailey Wilcox and Natasha Irani, Golubovskaya played with confidence. The Orange grabbed the early break from a Golubovskaya backhand winner at 30-40 and went up 3-1. The Eagles rallied two games of their own until Erman held serve at 4-3 before a medical timeout. The athletic trainer treated Golubovskaya’s lower back and stretched her lower body. It was the start of constant attention Golubovskaya needed throughout Saturday’s match.

“I wanted to go out there for my team and want to do everything that I could, so that’s what kept me in there,” said Golubovskaya.

Golubovskaya and Erman’s match went unfinished after Boston College won the other two doubles matches to win the overall doubles point. And with their continued struggles in doubles play, Syracuse was once again reliant on singles success.

In her singles match, Boston College’s senior captain Kylie Wilcox stood across the net from Golubovskaya. The 6-foot Wilcox’s power was the difference early as Golubovskaya couldn’t find her rhythm and fell down 3-6. During the break between sets, Golubovskaya requested more medical attention. This time it was her right shoulder. But out of the timeout, and up 2-1, an unforced error from Wilcox gave Golubovskaya the break. She released a “come on,” walking to the other side of the court.

The treatment continued on her right shoulder, but in the second set, Golubovskaya dominated, 6-1, to even it up at one set apiece.

“I stopped rushing and my mistakes were gone,” Golubovskaya said.

In the final set, fatigue began to factor in. In the third set Golubovskaya continually grabbed her right shoulder, she didn’t have the energy towards the back end of the match, she said. Wilcox ended the No. 2 singles contest on an ace down the outside service line and handed Golubovskaya the loss, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4.

While Golubovskaya fought off her injuries Saturday and showed flashes of her 34-26 form from last season, she was hesitant to comment on her health for upcoming matches.

“We will see,” Golubovskaya said postgame. “I have to talk to our coaches and the trainers.”

Published on February 15, 2020 at 7:17 pm

Contact Bailey: baarredo@syr.edu