COLUMBUS, Ohio – While Vanderbilt took an early lead Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, No. 15-seed Ohio State went on a singles run to come back and win 4-3 to advance to the Sweet 16.
With the loss, Vanderbilt’s season ends at 14-10 with a 25th trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the last 26 tournaments, including a spot in the final 32 in each of the last 11 tournaments.
Vanderbilt, ranked No. 28 in the country in this week’s Oracle/ITA rankings, started strong with Nos. 2 and 3 doubles winning the Dores the opening point for the second day in a row. This time, it was No. 63 Marcella Cruz and Emma Kurtz taking a 6-3 victory at No. 2 before Christina Rosca threaded the needle with the winning point at No. 3 to earn she and Anessa Lee the clinching point to put the Commodores up 1-0.
In singles, No. 43 Rosca again paced Vanderbilt with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 18 Irina Cantos. The win gave Vandy a 2-0 lead and handed Rosca her 114th career win, tying her for the third-most in program history.
While Ohio State (23-3, No. 16 in ITA rankings) raced back to go up 3-2, Anessa Lee finished off a hard-fought, straight-set win at No. 3 with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Kolie Allen to even the match at 3-3.
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15-seed Ohio State makes a run in singles and advances to the Sweet 16. #AnchorDown | #NCAATennis pic.twitter.com/30A4eErNJc
— Vanderbilt Women’s Tennis (@VandyWTennis) May 8, 2021
With Lee tying the match, everything came down to No. 5 singles and the third set. Looking to send the Commodores to the Sweet 16, Cruz won the second set to force a third but Lucia Marzal earned a couple breaks early in the third on the way to clinching the win for the Buckeyes with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 triumph.
Now with Vanderbilt’s team season complete, the Commodores will turn their attention to the NCAA Individual Championships. Rosca has been selected to compete in the NCAA Singles Tournament while Anna Ross and Holly Staff have been selected as alternates for the NCAA Doubles Tournament. Both tournaments will take place at the end of May after the conclusion of the NCAA Team Championship.
Results
Singles
1. #43 Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. #18 Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) 6-3, 6-1
2. Isabelle Boulais (OSU) def. Emma Kurtz (VANDY) 6-4, 6-4
3. Anessa Lee (VANDY) def. Kolie Allen (OSU) 6-3, 7-5
4. Lisa Hofbauer (OSU) def. Anna Ross (VANDY) 6-0, 7-5
5. Lucia Marzal (OSU) def. Marcella Cruz (VANDY) 6-3, 5-7, 6-1
6. Luna Dormet (OSU) def. Holly Staff (VANDY) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
1. #50 Kolie Allen/Isabelle Boulais (OSU) def. #28 Anna Ross/Holly Staff (VANDY) 6-3
2. #63 Emma Kurtz/Marcella Cruz (VANDY) def. Lucia Marzal/Lisa Hofbauer (OSU) 6-3
3. Christina Rosca/Anessa Lee (VANDY) def. Luna Dormet/Irina Cantos Siemers (OSU) 6-3
Match Notes:
Vanderbilt 14-10; National ranking #28
Ohio State 23-3; National ranking #16
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,4,2,6,3,5)
NCAA Tournament Second Round
Ohio State No. 15 seed
Official: Julio Colon T-2:57 A-116
