May 28, 2017
ATHENS, Ga. — Sydney Campbell’s collegiate tennis career came to a close Sunday afternoon as the three-time All-American fell in three hard-fought sets to Michigan’s Brienne Minor in the NCAA Singles Semifinals, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-0.
“It’s been a really amazing four years,” said Campbell. “I’ve grown a lot, not only as a tennis player, but as a person. I’m so thankful for all of the opportunities I was given, and I feel so blessed for the success we had over my four years, and happy to have been apart of it.
Today’s match was really exciting and also a little nerve wracking. It was a big opportunity on a big stage and I’m just glad to have made it this far.”
Competing on her 12th day in Athens, No. 15 Campbell faced off against No. 24 Minor on court three of the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. Playing toe-to-toe throughout the first two sets, Campbell and Minor entered into a first set tiebreaker after the Wolverine held serve. At five-all in the first set breaker, Campbell powered through the last two points earning the first set advantage, 7-6(5).
With the second set tied three-all, Minor, a sophomore out of Mundelein, Ill., held on to a 5-4 lead to force a third set decider, 7-5. Battling the aches and pains of non-stop NCAA tennis, Campbell fell in the third and final set capping her career in the NCAA Final Four, 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-0.
“It was an incredible tournament run,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “Sydney played great, a remarkable run. She’s the only singles player to make the semis of this tournament, and it was a great way to end an outstanding career. I give a lot of credit to Michigan’s Brienne Minor, because she hit probably 10-12 crucial winners in the second set to force that third set. But Sydney leaves having easily one of the best careers in Vanderbilt tennis history.”
Two three setters. Two three hour matches. Two finalists.
Tomorrow? One champion.@umichtennis Brienne Minor vs. @GatorsWTN Belinda Woolcock pic.twitter.com/Zdql0pDTQ0— ITA Tennis (@ITA_Tennis) May 28, 2017
Campbell leaves her mark on the program after four years, forever in the history books as Vanderbilt’s premiere NCAA singles semifinalist. The recent Vanderbilt grad departs Vanderbilt with a 108-50-career record and 34 wins this season, which sits second-best in Commodore history.
Reaching career-high rankings of No. 4 in doubles and No. 7 in singles, the Franklin, Tenn. native capped her career competing in her third NCAA individual tournament and boasts several accolades including, three-time All-American, Ohio Valley Regional Senior Player of the Year, Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP, three-time first-team All-SEC, a member of the SEC honor roll and SEC Co-Freshman Player of the Year.
Not only has Campbell grown as a player through her time at Vanderbilt, but as a person as she entered into a leadership this season acting as a confidant for her teammates. Campbell will be in the stands supporting the Dores next season, as she plans to remain in Nashville
“When Sydney committed we were probably ranked 20th, she took a chance on us in a way,” reflected Macdonald. “She could have gone to higher ranked schools. When you get a recruit of her caliber, it attracts other recruits and she helped us build really great teams. She played No. 1 singles most of her career, three-time All-American, All-SEC every year… wow. Then on top of that, Sydney is a class act and is very well liked and highly regarded in the tennis world and at Vanderbilt… a superb student-athlete and we look forward to seeing her around at matches next season.”
