NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 11th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s team rallied after dropping the doubles point to defeat third-ranked Georgia 4-2, Sunday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center in Nashville. The Commodores picked up wins at six, three, four and two to earn their first win over the Bulldogs since 2006.
Vanderbilt (14-4, 7-1 SEC) moves into a tie for second place in the Southeastern Conference with the win. Georgia’s (13-4, 6-1 SEC) loss snaps its nine-match win streak, and leaves Alabama as the lone unbeaten team in the conference.
The `Dores got off to a rocky start as the Bulldogs won the doubles point in convincing fashion. UGA clinched the point with wins at three and two.
Vanderbilt hadn’t won a match all season after dropping the doubles point — until Sunday.
Singles began with each team taking three first sets.
VU picked up first set wins at three, four and six, none more impressive than Frances Altick’s win at No. 3.
After breaking No. 15 Silvia Garcia twice on her first two serves to jump to a 3-0 lead, Altick fell behind as Garcia won the next five games. Facing two match points Altick was able to work back into the set breaking on on Garcia’s next two serves to go up 6-5. Altick held on her next serve to take the set 7-5.
The Vandy sophomore would go on to keep total control in the second set and take the match 6-2 in the second set. With the win Altick improves to 24-6 on the season and 3-1 against ranked opponents.
Prior to the win at No. 3, Ashleigh Antalgot the `Dores on the board with a straight-sets win at six.
With the set at 4-all in the first, Antal would take over winning the next eight games to take the match 6-4, 6-0. Antal’s win made it 1-1.
With the score at 2-2 after Altick’s win at three, Marie Casaresset up the clinch for the Commodores with her 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 4.
Casares took down No. 45 Lilly Kimbell for her 20th-straight win of the season. The Quito, Ecuador native is currently riding the nations longest win streak, and with Sunday’s win ties the longest win streak of the season thus far. Current No. 1 player in the country Jamie Loeb won 20-straight matches to start the 2013 fall season. Casares improves to 28-4 on the season with her win.
Sydney Campbell, facing her highest ranked opponent in No. 21 Maho Kowase, pulled off an amazing second set comeback to split and force a third set. Down 2-4 in the second after dropping the first set 6-2, Campbell was able to chip away at 21st-ranked Kowase. The freshman worked the match to 5-all and broke Kowase’s serve in the 11th game to go up 6-5. The Franklin, Tenn. native held on her final serve to split and force a third set.
After her come-from-behind win in the second set, Campbell cruised in the third to take down the UGA senior 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 and clinch the match for the 11th-ranked Commodores.
At the time of Campbell’s clinch, Courtney Coltonwas leading 6-5 in the third set against Kate Fuller. That match went unfinished.
Vanderbilt will ride this win into Friday’s match against unbeaten No. 8 Alabama, who on Sunday took down No. 5 Florida 4-3. That match is set for 3:30 p.m. (CT) at the Currey Tennis Center.
#11 Vanderbilt 4, #3 Georgia 2
Singles competition
1. #10 Lauren Herring (UGA) def. #63 Georgina Sellyn (VU) 6-3, 6-2
2. Sydney Campbell (VU) def. #21 Maho Kowase (UGA) 2-6, 7-5, 6-3
3. Frances Altick (VU) def. #15 Silvia Garcia (UGA) 7-5, 6-2
4. Marie Casares (VU) def. #45 Lilly Kimbell (UGA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
5. Courtney Colton (VU) vs. Kate Fuller (UGA) 3-6, 6-4, 6-5, unfinished
6. Ashleigh Antal (VU) def. Mia King (UGA) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. #38 Lauren Mira/Courtney Colton (VU) vs. #3 Lauren Herring/Maho Kowase (UGA) 4-6, unfinished
2. #36 Kate Fuller/Silvia Garcia (UGA) def. #30 Ashleigh Antal/Sydney Campbell (VU) 8-4
3. Caroline Brinson/Lilly Kimbell (UGA) def. Georgina Sellyn/Marie Casares (VU) 8-1
Match Notes:
Georgia 13-3, 6-1 SEC; National ranking #3
Vanderbilt 14-4, 7-1 SEC; National ranking #11
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,1,3,4,2)
