Oct. 6, 2015
PACIFIC PALISAIDES, Calif. – While the Commodores continue practicing in Nashville, seniors Frances Altick and Courtney Colton began competing in the first two rounds of qualifying singles action at the Riviera/ITA Women’s All-American Championships.
Both student-athletes traveled to the West Coast coming off successful tournament appearances at the Furman Fall classic, where both Commodores were to battle one-another in flight finals.
Altick and Colton took the courts around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon and confidentially shut out both of their respective opponents in the opening sets. Colton faced Denver’s Slattery in her first match of the tournament, only allowed the 2014 ITA National Freshman of the Year one game in her 6-0, 6-1 victory.
Altick was soon to follow Colton with a triumph of her own as she completely controlled her match, advancing to the second round of qualifiers with a 6-0 6-2 win.
In her second match of the day Monroe, La. native, Altick overcame a strong and talented opponent in Baylor’s 25th-ranked and third-seeded Blair Shankle 7-6, 6-4 to advance to Wednesday’s third and final round of qualifiers.
“Frances spilled her guts and pulled out a closely contested match with Blair Shankle,” said associate head coach Aleke Tsoubanos. She (Shankle) plays a style that most women don’t in that she’s a fantastic volleyer who can chip very well, has a great serve, and always looks to come to the net. I’m proud of the way Frances hung in and didn’t get down on herself when her opponent came up with shots that were just too good. She competed beautifully and tomorrow presents another great opportunity for her.”
After securing the first set 6-4, Colton fell in three set to UNC’s Jessie Aney, 4-6, 6-1, 6-0. While her chances of advancing to the main draw of singles action is over, the senior will begin her doubles journey alongside Sydney Campbell on Thursday in main draw competition.
“Courtney competed really well in her first set against Aney, but the match was a tale of two halves. In the second and third sets her opponent played very well and Courtney’s level of intensity came down. Credit to Aney and we will get back to work as Courtney will turn her focus to competing harder and bringing energy to her doubles on Thursday.”
