WACO, Texas — For the third time this season the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team defeated the Florida Gators, this time at a score of 4-3, earning VU a trip to the NCAA Final Four. This is the first time in over ten years that the Commodores will compete in the NCAA semifinals, with their last appearance in 2004.
Sunday evening the ‘Dores prevailed in the face of defeat to earn one of the most amazing comebacks so far in the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
Vanderbilt alums young and old should be extremely proud to have these women play for the Black and Gold, as they are not only superior athletes, but genuine, intelligent, and passionate people.
The Commodores began Sunday’s quarterfinal match by taking the doubles point over UF for the third time this season. With the threat of rain, both squads were happy to see the sun come out, which allowed both teams their first chance at Baylor University’s Hurd Tennis Center.
After acquiring a nail-biter of a doubles point on courts two and three, the Commodores intended to continue their success in singles play, but were hindered after dropping four first sets.
After a superb 8-1 doubles win at three in doubles, Marie Casares began a flat match on court six falling in the first set 6-1. Casares fought hard for the ‘Dores looking for redemption, but Florida’s Woolcock tied he score at 1-all with a 6-1, 6-4 win on five.
The ‘Dores dropped two additional matches on courts four then one, adding momentous stress to courts three and six who were trying to pull out splits to on courts three and six.
Junior Commodore, No. 96 Frances Altick, continued her resilient play, which has garnered her SEC and ITA regional accolades. Altick generated Vandy its first singles victory of the match, dominating No. 28 Breanna Morgan; 6-2, 6-4.
Florida, now with the 3-2 lead, was challenged once again as Ashleigh Antal fell in her first set 6-4, but flipped the switch to defeat Peggy Porter 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 for her 100th Commodore win.
At 3-all redshirt-freshman Astra Sharma battled throughout her first, earning point after point with her powerful serve to take the lead 7-5. Sharma allowed No. 13 Kuhlman the second set with a 6-2 loss. Having defeated Kuhlman twice this season in both regular and postseason play, the Perth, Australia native had plenty of experience clinching matches over the freshman Gator.
Using great defense, capitalizing on unforced errors, and the hopes of Vandy Nation on her shoulders, Sharma kept her head in the game to defeat Kuhlman 6-4 in the third.
Monday evening the Commodores play the USC Trojans at 5:00 pm CT. The ‘Dores lost to Southern Cal three months ago in a 4-3 heartbreaker, but have improved immensely as a team not only on the court, but off.
Results:
Doubles (Order of finish: 3, 1, 2)
- #6 Brooke Austin/Kourtney Keegan (FLORIDA) def. #20 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell (VANDERBILT); 8-5
- #18 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VANDERBILT) def. Josie Kuhlman/Belinda Woolcock (FLORIDA); 8-7 (8)
- Marie Casares/Frances Altick (VANDERBILT) def. Spencer Liang/Peggy Porter (FLORIDA); 8-1
Singles (Order of finish: 5, 4, 1, 3, 6, 2)
- #3 Brooke Austin (FLORIDA) def. #8 Sydney Campbell (VANDERBILT); 6-3, 6-3
- #42 Astra Sharma (VANDERBILT) def. #13 Josie Kuhlman (FLORIDA); 7-5, 2-6, 6-4
3. #96 Frances Altick (VANDERBILT) def. #28 Brianna Morgan (FLORIDA); 6-2, 6-4
- #56 Kourtney Keegan (FLORIDA) def. #61 Courtney Colton (VANDERBILT); 6-3, 6-3
- #58 Belinda Woolcock (FLORIDA) def. #120 Marie Casares (VANDERBILT); 6-1, 6-4
- Ashleigh Antal (VANDERBILT) def. Peggy Porter (FLORIDA); 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
