TULSA, Okla. – For the second-consecutive year the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team is heading back to the NCAA Final Four. The Commodores advance after taking down the 14th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers in a 4-2 Elite Eight battle.
The `Dores look to take on No. 15 Stanford Monday, May 23rd at 10:00 am CT.
As Vandy’s trip in Tulsa extends to two additional days, the Commodores have been emphasizing the importance of accountability and persevering. For a sport which is typically played individually, the squad is focused on playing for another and giving their all on each court.
Vanderbilt put on a dominant performance in doubles, with teams on courts two and three flipping the proverbial switch. Both teams handedly defeated the Cavalier tandems, clinching the paramount doubles point with two 6-0 victories. The Commodores haven’t clinched doubles with two sweeps all season.
UVA came out on top of the first singles match of the day, tying the score to 1-all after No. 2 Danielle Collins downed Sydney Campbell on court one.
The Commodores’ freshman phenom, Fernanda Contreras, was once again the first off the court after cruising through her match on court five, 6-0, 6-1. The San Luis Potosi, Mexico native only has four losses to her name all season, boasting a 29-4 record.
With the 2-1 advantage, No. 32 Sharma, downed No. 97 Stephanie Nauta 6-2, 6-3 on court three. The victory was the sixth NCAA win for “Roo” as the redshirt-sophomore has clinched in four of those six victories.
While Sharma is known for coming in clutch in tournament situations, it was her doubles partner, Frances Altick, who came through with the VU victory just after Courtney Colton fell in a tight match on four.
No. 14 Altick pulled out a 6-4 first set victory over UVA’s No. 12 Julia Elbaba, and with the support of Commodore fans, alums, and family the senior glided through her second set to advance Vanderbilt to its fourth final four, 6-4, 6-2. Georgina Sellyn was up 4-1 in the second set after pulling out a tremendous first set tiebreaker.
While No. 15 Stanford will be the lowest ranked team the Commodores have faced in Tulsa, the Cardinal are one of the most historically prevalent programs in the country and knocked off the No. 1 team in the nation, Florida, 4-3, and the 10th ranked Michigan Wolverines in another 4-3 battle to advance.
Both VU and Stanford competed in Nashville earlier this season, with Vanderbilt taking the match, 4-1, on January 30th. The Cardinal field four ranked singles players ranking from No. 25 – No. 100. Stanford fell in doubles against both Florida and Michigan, but were pulled through with gutsy singles play. Two Stanford duos are represented in the Oracle/ITA rankings. Davidson/Doyle are ranked No. 5 in the nation, with Zhao/Lord following at No. 31.
For a behind the scenes look at the NCAA tournament, add @VandyWTennis on twitter and follow VandyAthletics on SnapChat.
Results:
Head Coaches: Geoff Macdonald (Vanderbilt) and Mark Guilbeau (Virginia)
Doubles
- #14 Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt) vs. #18 Danielle Collins/Meghan Kelley (Virginia), 3-2 DNF
- Frances Altick/Astra Sharma (Vanderbilt) def. Cassie Mercer/Stephanie Nauta (Virginia), 6-0
- Fernanda Contreras/Georgina Sellyn (Vanderbilt) def. Julia Elbaba/Erica Susi (Virginia), 6-0
Order of Finish: 2, 3
Singles
- #2 Danielle Collins (Virginia) def. #18 Sydney Campbell (Vanderbilt), 6-0, 6-0
- #14 Frances Altick (Vanderbilt) def. #12 Julia Elbaba (Virginia), 6-4, 6-2
- #32 Astra Sharma (Vanderbilt) def. #97 Stephanie Nauta (Virginia), 6-2, 6-3
- Meghan Kelley (Virginia) def. Courtney Colton (Vanderbilt), 6-4, 6-3
- Fernanda Contreras (Vanderbilt) def. Erica Susi (Virginia), 6-1, 6-0
- Georgina Sellyn (Vanderbilt) vs. Cassie Mercer (Virginia), 7-6 (4), 4-1 DNF
Order of Finish: 1, 5, 3, 4, 2
