Nov. 9, 2014
NASHVILLE, TENN. – The Vanderbilt men’s tennis team capped of its fall season sweeping the podium at the 2014 Commodore Scramble. The three-day tournament took place at the Currey Tennic Center, as the `Dores played host to Alabama, Belmont, Memphis, MTSU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee Tech.
Junior Kris Yee took the singles title after going undefeated throughout the weekend against some the highest caliber of players in attendance. On Saturday Yee earned an easy 6-0, 6-1 win over Mauricio Antun who plays out of Nashville neighbor Belmont. Sunday afternoon Yee extended his tournament streak in a 6-2, 6-1 victory against Tennessee Tech’s Eduardo Mena.
Senior Suresh Eswaran and freshman Baker Newman went undefeated this weekend as well, taking the doubles title. As the debut tournament for the duo, both Commodores worked tirelessly throughout the entire weekend. The tandem was forced to a tiebreak on Saturday, defeating Memphis’ Asser and Glennon in a hard fought 8-7(4) victory. On Sunday the `Dores success continued as they clinched the doubles tournament in an 8-3 win over Tennessee Tech’s Mena and Lima.
The `Dores finish on a high-note with Daniel Valent joining Yee on the list of `Dores who went undefeated in this weekend’s singles play. Other tournament accomplishments include Newman’s appearance in the Southern Intercollegiate’s singles final. The USTA/ITA Ohio Valley Regional was another notable tournament, as Gonzales Austin made it to singles finals and Rhys Johnson and Austin took the doubles title and he chance to compete in the National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships this past week in Flushing, NY.
Johnson and Austin fell in tournament semifinals Saturday night; 7-6, 6-3. Austin, an at-large selection for singles, had one of the best tournament journeys of any Commodore, making his way to the singles finals for the first time in Vandy history.
The Commodores take a break from tournament action, and will return to the courts in late January for the ITA Kick-off Weekend in Lexington, Ky.
