LAKEWOOD, Fla. – The Commodores run at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic came to an end Saturday. Courtney Colton and Sydney Campbell fell in the doubles semifinals, while Campbell dropped her quarterfinal singles match. The losses conclude the fall season for the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team, as it now look ahead to the start of its spring season.
Colton and Campbell dropped a tough match to Kourtney Keegan and Brianna Morgan of Florida in the semifinal round. The Vandy duo dropped the match, 8-7 after being up 6-3.
“We played well at times but let opportunities slip early,” said assistant coach Aleke Tsoubanos. “The story of this one was too many unforced errors down the stretch, after we were up 6-3. For their first time playing together I was pleased and we will learn from this experience.”
Campbell would face Morgan once again in the singles quarterfinals. The Vanderbilt freshman jumped out to the early lead, taking the first set 6-3. Morgan, however, would go on to take the next two sets, four and three.
“Morgan is a really similar player to Sydney in terms of hitting big shots from the baseline,” said Tsoubanos. “Morgan is a really good ball striker and began to play better as the match went on. Sydney needs to do a better job of keeping the ball in play, cutting out unforced errors and closing out games when she is ahead. It was a back and forth match with tricky windy conditions and it will be a good opportunity for Sydney, a freshman, to learn from.”
Colton played an extra singles match against Marta Morga of Memphis, winning in three sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
“I’m happy Courtney was able to get in a competitive singles match,” Tsoubanos said. “She rebounded well in the second set and finished strong to close out the third.”
Saturday Results
Doubles – Semifinals
Kourtney Keegan/Brianna Morgan (Florida) def. Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (Vandy): 8-7
Singles – Quarterfinals
Brianna Morgan (Florida) def. Sydney Campbell: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3
Singles – Extra match
Courtney Colton def. Marta Morga (Memphis): 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
