NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The #18 Vanderbilt Commodores started off their double-header with a 5-2 win against the #53 Memphis Tigers Sunday afternoon, snapping a three-game losing streak in their first outdoor match of the season.
Nelly Radeva clinched the victory for the Dores with a 7-6(11-9), 6-1 decision, battling back from being down 6-4 in the tiebreaker set to set up her straight-set win.
The Tigers took the doubles point for an early lead at 1-0 after Mariya Slupska and Stefanie Mikesz beat Ashleigh Antal and Marie Casares 8-6 in the deciding match.
Alex Leatu took charge to tie the match up, roaring out to a 6-2, 6-3 win over Tiffany Welcher early in singles. Marie Casares and Lauren Mira put the Dores up 3-1 by winning their matches in straight sets as well.
“I felt really good today,” said Mira after her match. “I was really disciplined and really focused on not giving away free points, and I was successful in doing that. I just hope that this can carry into the second match today. I am really proud of how we played all aorund in singles and we’ve been practicing how to handle the wind and I think that’s really key for the rest of the day.”
Ashleigh Antal racked up her ninth singles win of the season, defeating Alyssa Hibberd 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.
They head back to the courts at 4 p.m. to take on the MTSU Blue Raiders.
Results:
Singles:
1. #73 Courtney Collins (UM) def. #31 Jackie Wu (VU) 7-6 (7-5), 6-3
2. #113 Lauren Mira (VU) def. #70 Mariya Slupska (UM) 6-1, 6-2
3. Alex Leatu (VU) def. Tiffany Welcher (UM) 6-2, 6-3
4. Marie Casares (VU) def. #66 Stefanie Mikesz (UM) 6-3, 6-3
5. Ashleigh Antal (VU) def. Alyssa Hibberd (UM) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
6. Nelly Radeva (VU) def. Kelly Gray (UM) 7-6 (11-9), 6-1
Doubles:
1. #31 Tiffany Welcher-Alyssa Hibberd (UM) def. #49 Jackie Wu-Alex Leatu (VU) 8-4
2. Mariya Slupska-Stefanie Mikesz (UM) def. #37 Ashleigh Antal-Marie Casares (VU) 8-6
3. Lauren Mira-Nelly Radeva (VU) def. Courtney Collins-Kelly Gray (UM) 8-0
Match Notes:
#18 Vanderbilt 7-4
#53 Memphis 4-5
Order of Finish: Doubles (1,3,2), Singles (3,4,2,6,51)
