NASHVILLE, Tenn. –The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team paid tribute to its two seniors, Ashleigh Antal and Marie Casares, as the No. 8 Commodores defeated the No. 31 South Carolina Gamecocks 6-1. This is Vanderbilt’s sixth victory while only allowing an opponent one point, with five of these wins coming in conference action.
“That match was much closer match than the score,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “They’re a good team who throw a lot at you, but they’re good players. I’m pleased to take another step forward in the SEC.”
With the match riddled with tornado watches and weather delays, the `Dores powered through adversity to clinch the doubles point over the Gamecocks. Like the weather outside, doubles action had its ups and downs with the Gamecocks claiming the first match of the competition with an 8-1 VU loss on court three.
But known for their fight and resilience, Vandy pulled out a gritty 8-7(7) performance on court one by No. 18 Courtney Colton and Sydney Campbell to tie the point. No. 24 Ashleigh Antal and Marie Casares clinched the doubles point advantage for VU with an 8-6 win over No. 37 Brigit Folland/Meghan Blevins.
The Commodores hard work ethic continued to pay off in singles, as Vandy took five first sets over SC and brought home three straight singles victories.
Senior No. 96 Casares earned her 100th career singles win as a Commodore as she absolutely powered through her match on court six. The Quito, Ecuador native won ten-straight games, only allowing her Gamecock opponent one solitary game in her 6-0, 6-1 senior day victory.
No. 71 Astra Sharma’s serve proved too much for SC’s Caroline Daily as the redshirt sophomore took court two and the Commodores’ third point with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the sophomore.
With unwavering focus and patience No. 111 Altick defeated South Carolina senior, Meghan Blevins, to clinch the Vanderbilt victory on court four. Altick had several key returns and breaks, which proved pivotal in her 6-3, 6-1 win.
After snatching her second set 6-3, a battle on court three ensued as junior No. 100 Colton was taken to a third-set tiebreak. Although a hard fought effort, Colton was defeated by Folland; 6-3, 3-6, 1-0(7).
The `Dores enjoyed a senior singles sweep as Antal brought in the fifth Commodore point, cruising through her match at No. six singles. Antal overpowered her opponent Hadley Berg, and like her fellow senior, only allowed one game in her fantastic 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Friday’s match went to a tiebreak once more as No. 12 Campbell and No. 50 Lechemia dueled for the final point on court one. A compliment to the hard work all of our athletes put in off the courts, Campbell competed tirelessly claiming her 32nd singles win of the year, and tying the Vanderbilt school record set by Casares last season. Although it was a tough battle, VU generated its sixth and final point with Campbell’s 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5) victory on one.
Vanderbilt caps its final regular season home match on Sunday against the No. 6 Florida Gators at 1:00 p.m.
“What a great opportunity it is for us to play Florida. They’re in first place in the SEC and we’ve had great matches with them. We’ve trained hard to get ready for this opportunity and I just urge that everyone come out on your Easter Sunday and cheer on this great Commodore team!”
Results:
No. 8 Vanderbilt 6, No. 31 South Carolina 1
Doubles:
1) No. 18 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell (VU) def. Hadley Berg/Caroline Daily (SC); 8-7(7)
2) No. 24 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VU) def. No. 37 Brigit Folland/Meghan Blevins (SC); 8-6
3) Ximena Siles Luna/Elixane Lechemia (SC) def. Frances Altick/Marie Casares (SC); 8-1
Order of Finish; 3, 1, 2*
Singles:
1) No. 12 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. No. 50 Eli Lechemia (SC); 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(5)
2) No. 71 Astra Sharma (VU) def. Caroline Dailey (SC); 6-4, 6-3
3) Brigit Folland (SC) def. No. 100 Courtney Colton (VU); 6-3, 3-6, 1-0(7)
4) No. 111 Frances Altick (VU) def. Meghan Blevins (SC); 6-3, 6-1
5) No. 96 Marie Casares (VU) def. Ximena Siles Luna (SC); 6-0, 6-1
6) Ashleigh Antal (VU) def. Hadley Berg (SC); 6-1, 6-0
Order of Finish; 5, 2, 4,* 3, 6, 1
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