NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 10th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team is headed back to the Sweet 16. The Commodores knocked off No. 19 Georgia Tech, 4-2 Saturday, in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament. Vanderbilt will face SEC foe Florida in the round of 16, which begins Thursday, May 15 in Athens, Ga.
Vandy (21-6) had clutch moments throughout the lineup all of which leading to Frances Altick at No. 2. Altick clinched the match for the `Dores, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7), just a few short weeks after clinching against No. 6 Alabama.
The Commodores jumped out to the early 1-0 advantage winning the doubles point for the 17th time this season. Frances Altick and Marie Casares earned a quick win at No. 2, knocking off Wacker/Prokhnevska 8-2. It was then Vandy’s No. 1 team of 20th-ranked Lauren Mira and Courtney Colton who clinched the point, defeating sixth-ranked Megan Kurey and Kendal Woodard.
Vanderbilt got off to a slow start in singles but then was able to work back and win four of six first sets.
Georgia Tech came out hot on courts No. 5 and No. 3, winning 6-3 and 6-1, respectively. At five Tech was able to even the score up winning 6-3, 6-0 over Ashleigh Antal.
With the match at 1-all the momentum was still up in the air, but the Commodores were able to take some of that as both Colton at four and Mira at six earned hard fought first set wins.
After winning 6-3 in the first set, Vandy’s No. 1 player Sellyn struggled in the second set, battling an ankle injury. It was in the third set that Sellyn would regroup and chip away at Tech’s Woodard, eventually winning the set in three, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5.
Prior to Sellyn’s win at one, Casares despite falling in straight sets, did a good job for the `Dores in extending the match and keeping the momentum away from the Jackets.
With the match at 2-all, Mira, in her final match at the Currey Tennis Center battled in the third set winning 6-3 in the second to set up the clinch.
With the Sweet 16 within reach, it was Altick who was able to fight through a tough second set tiebreak and clinch the match for the Dores, 6-3, 7-6 (7). Altick’s win was her 30th of the season.
Vanderbilt will face Florida on Thursday, May 15 at 4 p.m (ET) at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in the round of 16. The Commodores and Gators went head-to-head earlier this season in Gainesville. Florida won a very close doubles point before eventually winning the match 4-0. Vandy was in leading in three third-sets when the match was suspended.
#10 Vanderbilt 4, #19 Georgia Tech 2
Singles competition
1. #64 Georgina Sellyn (VU) def. Kendal Woodard (GT) 6-3, 1-6, 7-5
2. #48 Frances Altick (VU) def. Megan Kurey (GT) 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)
3. Rasheeda McAdoo (GT) def. #103 Marie Casares (VU) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)
4. #82 Courtney Colton (VU) vs. Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 7-5, 4-6, 1-2, unfinished
5. Muriel Wacker (GT) def. Ashleigh Antal (VU) 6-3, 6-0
6. Lauren Mira (VU) def. Alexa Anton-Ohlmeyer (GT) 7-6 (8-6), 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #20 Lauren Mira/Courtney Colton (VU) def. #6 Megan Kurey/Kendal Woodard (GT) 8-3
2. Frances Altick/Marie Casares (VU) def. Muriel Wacker/Natasha Prokhnevska (GT) 8-2
3. Georgina Sellyn/Ashleigh Antal (VU) vs. Rasheeda McAdoo/Alexa Anton-Ohlmeyer (GT) 7-6, unfinished
Match Notes:
Georgia Tech 14-10; National ranking #19
Vanderbilt 21-6; National ranking #10
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1); Singles (5,3,1,6,2)
NCAA Women’s Tennis Tournament
Second Round
Vanderbilt Advances to the Sweet 16
