NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 12 Vanderbilt Commodores extended their home win streak to seven matches Friday afternoon, delivering the Missouri Tigers their sixth loss in a row with a 6-1 victory. With the win the Commodores own a 10-5 overall record and 5-1 SEC slate.
“I think it was definitely an improved Missouri team,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald, “and I thought we played a very focused, all-business match. There were chances for Missouri to get back in on some sets and matches, but we put them away. I thought we played really good and disciplined tennis… it was another great win for us in the SEC.”
Vanderbilt’s two ranked teams came out on fire, with No. 30 Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma only giving up one game in their 8-1 victory on court two. The duo holds a perfect 7-0 record in spring play. No. 15 Sydney Campbell and Courtney Colton teamed up in their 31st match of the year and took down the Tigers’ Spearman/Bri. Lashway, 8-4.
With the crucial doubles point in the Commodores’ possession, the squad looked to singles play to finish the job.
This week the `Dores focused on their decision making and shot selection. Vandy’s hard work paid off as the `Dores made great use of the entire court, forcing their opponents to work for every shot and opportunity.
No. 9 Sydney Campbell extended the VU lead to 2-0 with an easy 6-2, 6-2 win over Kelli Hine for her 28th win of the year. Junior No. 96 Frances Altick made quick work of her match on four with her third conference win, 6-2, 6-2.
It was a race to see which Commodore would clinch the Vanderbilt victory as Colton, Sharma, and Casares were neck and neck at match point. But it was Colton to cement the Vandy win with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Machado Santos.
On court two, Astra Sharma did not allow Spearman a single game in the first set, as the redshirt freshman played her 8th perfect set of the season. Sharma continued her hard work in the second set, taking the match 6-0, 6-3.
On court five, No. 72 Marie Casares weathered a close first set, but delivered several key returns to take the set 7-5. The Quito, Ecuador native brought in the final Vanderbilt win with a 6-1 second set victory.
Ellie Yates saw her first dual match and conference action in the Vanderbilt black and gold. The junior transfer remained close in the first set but fell 6-4, 6-1 on court six.
Vanderbilt hosts the No. 38 Arkansas Razorbacks this Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Results
No. 12 Vanderbilt 6, Missouri 1
Doubles:
1) No. 15 Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (VU) def. Cassidy Spearman/Brianna Lashway (MU); 8-4
2) No. 30 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VU) def. Kelli Hine/Alex Clark (MU); 8-1
3) Brittany Lashway/Beatriz Machado Santos (MU) led Marie Casares/Frances Altick (VU); 6-3
Order of Finish; 1, 2*
Singles:
1) No. 9 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. Kelli Hine (MU); 6-2, 6-2
2) No. 77 Astra Sharma (VU) def. Cassidy Spearman (MU); 6-0, 6-3
3) No. 84 Courtney Colton (VU) def. Beatriz Machado Santos (MU); 6-1, 6-1
4) No. 96 Frances Altick (VU) def. Brianna Lashway (MU); 6-2, 6-2
5) No. 72 Marie Casares (VU) def. Brittany Lashway (MU); 7-5, 6-1
6) Clare Raley (MU) def. Ellie Yates (VU); 6-4, 6-2
Order of Finish; 1, 4, 3*, 2, 5, 6
