RALEIGH, N.C. — The No. 21 Vanderbilt women’s tennis team fought to the finish, defeating No. 3 NC State 4-3 in Sunday’s championship and punching their ticket to the 2023 ITA National Team Indoor Championship.
While the Wolfpack picked up the doubles point, the Commodores were able to battle back in singles. Anessa Lee put Vanderbilt on the board with her victory over Gina Dittmann. Amy Stevens brought the Dores within one point with her three-set win over Anna Zyryanova. Anna Ross tied the match for Vanderbilt, defeating No. 23 Amelia Rajecki.
After Ross completed her singles match, all eyes turned to Holly Staff and No. 25 Abigail Rencheli, the only court still playing and the match that would determine which team moved on to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in Seattle. The anticipation ended when, in the third set, Staff scored her final point to win the set 6-2.
“Holy moly! What an incredible match this group played today. I’m so proud of our team for the fight and heart they showed today on the road against one of the best teams in the country,” head coach Aleke Tsoubanos said. “They believed in themselves and earned every bit of this victory. We’ve traveled for competition last three weekends and will be great to play our first home match Friday. After that I can’t wait to see this team compete again at the National Indoor Championship in Seattle.”
SINGLES
No. 13 Alana Smith def. No. 33 Celia-Belle Mohr 6-2, 6-4
Ross def. No 23 Rajecki 6-4, 6-7, 7-5
Staff def. No. 25 Rencheli 7-6, 5-7, 6-2
No. 97 Sophie Abrams def. No. 35 Bridget Stammel 5-7, 6-1, 5-7
Lee def. Dittmann 6-1, 6-4
Stevens def. Zyryanova 7-5 4-6, 6-3
DOUBLES
Ross/Staff vs. No. 60 Sophie Abrams/Rencheli 4-4, unfinished
Smith/Zyryanova def. Marcella Cruz/Stammel 6-3
Dittmann/Rajecki def. No. 55 Mohr/Lee 6-3
The Dores will travel to Seattle, Washington, from Feb. 10 to Feb. 13.
