COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 8 Commodores exerted sheer dominance over No. 13 Alabama to begin their SEC tournament journey in Friday’s quarterfinal action. Vanderbilt led the entire match from doubles to singles play, sweeping first sets over the defending SEC regular season champ and advancing to semifinals with a 4-0 victory.
Friday’s victory was the second win over Alabama this season as the `Dores upset the Crimson Tide 4-3 on the road in Tuscaloosa. Last time out Bama took the doubles point, but the `Dores wouldn’t allow it this go around as Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma brought in the first win of the day stirring momentum.
With the 8-1 victory on court two, No. 15 Antal/Sharma remain undefeated in league play, boasting an impressive 10-0 mark. Frances Altick and Marie Casares clinched doubles for the `Dores defeating No. 63 Spielmann/Perez 8-4.
The `Dores outstanding efforts continued in singles play, as No. 44 Sharma conquered her opponent on two 6-0, 6-0. The victory over No. 62 Spielmann was the redshirt freshman’s 30th career win for the black and gold.
Playing in the No. 3 spot of the VU lineup No. 120 Altick came out strong, blanking No. 57 Jansenin her first set 6-0. The Monroe, La. native continued her success into the second set bringing in the third point for Vanderbilt 6-3. The victory was Altick’s 50th career win for the black and gold.
Junior No. 74 Courtney Colton clinched the `Dores position in semifinals, taking down Natalia Maynetto 6-1, 6-2. Campbell dropped her second set to Routliffe, but was rallying back when the match was clinched. Most impressively, Casares came back from a 5-1 deficit to win her first set on five in a tiebreaker. Antal continued her stellar efforts from doubles action into singles play, defeating Perez 6-3 in the first set.
Looking ahead the `Dores face a tough Florida team who left Nashville with their first SEC loss, 4-1. Vandy vs. Florida is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am CT. Live stats can be found HERE.
Results:
#9 (4) Vanderbilt 4, #13 (5) Alabama 0
Singles competition
- #39 Erin Routliffe (UA) vs. #9 Sydney Campbell (VU) no result
- #41 Astra Sharma (VU) def. #62 Danielle Spielmann (UA) 6-0, 6-0
- #120 Frances Altick (VU) def. #57 Maya Jansen (UA) 6-0, 6-3
- #74 Courtney Colton (VU) def. Natalia Maynetto (UA) 6-1, 6-2
- Emily Zabor (UA) vs. #100 Marie Casares (VU) no result
- Luicelena Perez (UA) vs. Ashleigh Antal (VU) no result
Doubles competition
- #1 Maya Jansen/Erin Routliffe (UA) vs. #25 Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (VU) no result
- #16 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VU) def. Natalia Maynetto/Emily Zabor (UA) 8-1
- Marie Casares/Frances Altick (VU) def. #63 Danielle Spielmann/Luicelena Perez (UA) 8-4
Match Notes:
(5) Alabama 17-7, 8-5 SEC; National ranking #13
(4) Vanderbilt 17-6, 11-2 SEC; National ranking #9
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (2,3,4)
SEC Tournament – Quarterfinals
