TULSA, Okla. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team leaves Tulsa with another phenomenal season of tennis under its belts, as semifinalists in the NCAA Tournament.
This is only the fourth time the Dores have made an appearance in the final four, and first time in back-to-back years. Vanderbilt fell to one of the most storied programs in collegiate women’s tennis Monday afternoon, the No. 15 Stanford Cardinal, 4-2.
“I give all credit to Stanford, I thought they played really, really well. I’m proud of my team, we could never get ahead, coming from behind all day. It wasn’t our day, in terms of being able to take advantage of some opportunities. Really close match. I’m proud of way we battled back, we kind of had a never say attitude. But again, give them (Stanford) credit, especially (Caroline) Lampl at No. 5, there at the end. She won it, she had some winners and big serves to take control of that third set.”
While the loss hurts now, the Commodores continue to bring honor to Vanderbilt; earning a spot in the NCAA Final Four, a 23-6 overall record, an undefeated home record for the third season straight, graduating five seniors all while having fun.
Monday’s loss caps the careers of two senior Commodores, Ellie Yates and Maggie Leavell. As a redshirt senior, Georgina Sellyn will continue her career on the team next season. Frances Altick and Courtney Colton still look to compete in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournament in Tulsa, which begins Thursday.
Monday’s match began with slow doubles play, as a crucial point was awarded to Stanford after Vandy fell on courts two and three.
Ranked No. 31 in the nation, the Cardinal’s Lord/Zhao earned the first victory of the day, handing VU its first doubles loss in Tulsa, by a score of 6-2 on court two. Hardebeck/Lampl sealed the point in Stanford’s favor with a decisive 6-3 victory over Georgina Sellyn and Fernanda Contreras.
In singles, the Commodores fell in four first sets, with Astra Sharma taking the advantage 6-4 on three, and Colton powering through a tiebreaker on four, 7-6(2).
VU redeemed its first set losses as courts two, five and six all took their second sets to split. Frances Altick grinded out a 6-4 second set over No. 46 Taylor Davidson, while Sellyn dominated her second set on six, not dropping a single game against Melissa Lord.
Down 3-1 following a 6-4, 6-2 victory by No. 32 Sharma over No. 67 Doyle, the `Dores most impressive second set save came from freshman Contreras who forced a tiebreaker against fellow freshman, Lampl. The San Luis Potosi, Mexico native pulled out the breaker to save the match for VU, 7-6(4).
While Contreras was hard at work on five, Colton earned Vanderbilt its second point of the day. In her final singles match as a Commodore, the Davie, Fla. native played some of her best tennis all season, defeating No. 100 Hardebeck, 7-6(2), 6-4.
VU’s highest ranked singles player, No. 14 Frances Altick, was tied on court two, 2-all, when Vandy’s chances of advancement were halted. Fighting till the end on the biggest stage in tennis, Contreras fell to the Cardinal 6-5, 6-7(4), 6-3 to give Stanford the fourth and final point.
Altick, Campbell, Colton and Sharma will remain in Tulsa competing in the NCAA Singles and Doubles tournament. Four tournament participants ties for a season-high.
“It’s an amazing run we’ve been on. I’m so proud of this team. To get to the final four is a lifetime achievement and we’ve able to win it and get to the semifinals again this year. It’s a special group of players. I know they’re really disappointed right now, but I think when they have a little time to reflect on what they’ve achieved, they’re going to be really proud of themselves.”
Results:
Doubles
- #14 Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt) vs. #5 Taylor Davidson/Caroline Doyle (Stanford), 5-5 DNF
- #31 Melissa Lord/Carol Zhao (Stanford) def. Frances Altick/Astra Sharma (Vanderbilt), 6-2
- Krista Hardebeck/Caroline Lampl (Stanford) def. Fernanda Contreras/Georgina Sellyn (Vanderbilt), 6-3
Order of Finish: 2, 3
Singles
- #25 Carol Zhao (Stanford) def. #18 Sydney Campbell (Vanderbilt), 6-4, 6-3
- #46 Taylor Davidson (Stanford) vs. #14 Frances Altick (Vanderbilt), 6-4, 4-6, 2-2 DNF
- #32 Astra Sharma (Vanderbilt) def. #67 Caroline Doyle (Stanford), 6-4, 6-2
- Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt) def. #100 Krista Hardebeck (Stanford), 7-6 (2), 6-4
- Caroline Lampl (Stanford) def. Fernanda Contreras (Vanderbilt), 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3
- Melissa Lord (Stanford) def. Georgina Sellyn (Vanderbilt), 6-4, 0-6, 6-2
Order of Finish: 1, 3, 6, 4, 5
