GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team capped their first tournament of the fall in impressive fashion with Taka Bertrand and Courtney Ulery claiming singles championships in their respective flights.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with how this weekend went,” head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “We didn’t win every match, but I think everyone learned something and that is what you are looking for in fall tournaments like this.”
Bertrand, ranked No. 73 in singles, won a flight at the Furman Fall Classic for the fourth straight year as she downed Clemson’s Laurianne Henry in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. Bertrand played the entire weekend without losing a set en route to her flight three championship.
“Taka’s been working really hard in practice,” Macdonald said. “It was great for her to get some victories heading into the Riviera All-Americans next week.”
Courtney Ulery got off to a strong start in her junior season, defeating Alex Jurewitz of North Carolina in the championship of flight five. For the second straight day, Ulery lost the opening set 7-6 (8-6), but rebounded impressively with decisive victories in the next two sets, winning 6-0, 6-1.
“It was a breakthrough weekend for Courtney,” Macdonald said. “Both days were against pretty tough players. To win the match after losing the first set is a good character builder.”
Freshman Katie Kilborn finished in third place in her first collegiate event as she defeated Kim Roberts of Wisconsin 6-4, 6-4. Fellow freshman Keilly Ulery also notched a victory on Sunday, defeating Sophie Grabinski of North Carolina 7-5, 6-1 to finish in fifth place in flight four.
No. 20 Amanda Taylor lost a hard fought championship match in flight one. Taylor won the opening set 6-4, but No. 21 Ani Mijacika of Clemson claimed the next two sets, winning 6-1, 6-2.
No. 27 Catherine Newman also fell in the championship match of flight two. Newman lost in straight sets to South Carolina’s Ana Zubori 6-4, 6-1.
Senior Caroline Ferrell lost the championship of flight six to Samantha Orlin of Tennessee. Ferrell won the first set 7-6 (7-1). Orlin came back to win the next two sets 7-5, 7-6 (7-1).
Junior Liberty Sveke was held out of play for the third straight day due to illness.
The Commodores return to action later this week as Taka Bertrand, Catherine Newman and Amanda Taylor will travel to California for the ITA Riviera All-American Championships. The rest of the squad will travel to Bloomington, Ind. for the Hoosier Classic.
Day Three Results – Furman Fall Classic
Minor Herndon Mickel Tennis Center – Greenville, S.C.
Singles Play:
No. 21 Ani Mijacika (CU) def. No. 20 Amanda Taylor (VU) – 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 – Flight One
No. 77 Ana Zubori (USC) def. No. 27 Catherine Newman (VU) – 6-4, 6-1 – Flight Two
No. 73 Taka Bertrand (VU) def. Laurianne Henry (CU) – 6-4, 7-5 – Flight Three
Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Sophie Grabinski (UNC) – 7-5, 6-1 – Flight Four
Courtney Ulery (VU) def. Alex Jurewitz (UNC) – 6-7 (6-8) 6-0, 6-1 – Flight Five
Samantha Orlin (UT) def. Caroline Ferrell (VU) – 6-7 (1-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) – Flight Six
Katie Kilborn (VU) def. Kim Roberts (UW) – 6-4, 6-4 – Flight Seven
Elizabeth Dolan (UW) def. Liberty Sveke (VU) – ret. – Flight Seven
