Oct. 7, 2011
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team fought through the first day of the Seminole Invitational, with freshman Marie Casares opening her college career and senior Megan Gornet battling in a tie-breaker, both for wins.
“Marie is a fantastic competitor and I’m extremely happy with the way she started out in singles against a tough opponent,” said assistant coach Aleke Tsoubanos.
“I was really excited about my first college match. It was good that I could get a win,” said Casares, who buckled down to beat Georgia Tech’s Lynn Blau in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
In singles, Nelly Radeva defeated opponent Candela Munoz of Troy in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. Preeg won her first set 6-3 but dropped the match against Georgia Tech’s Elizabeth Kilborn. But it was Gornet who had the duel of the day.
“Megan pulled out a hard fought match that ended in a third set tie-breaker 13-11,” said Tsoubanos. “I was proud of the way she hung in there until the end. She really earned the victory today.”
“It definitely was not the prettiest win,” said Gornet. “It felt really good to battle and compete and tennis is all about winning matches when you’re not playing your best. I feel like that’s what I did today. I kind of made use of my ability for the day and got things done.”
The black and gold also fared well in doubles play, with Ashleigh Antal and Alex Leatu paired up to defeat Southern Florida’s Lucie Rey and Kate Parker 8-3, and Chelsea Preeg and Casares won a close doubles match, 8-6. Preeg and Casares won their second doubles match 8-2.
“Overall I was very pleased with our play today as a group,” said Tsoubanos. “We pulled out a couple of close doubles matches playing smart, disciplined tennis and using great defense when we needed it. It was a windy day but we competed really well in singles by and large.”
The Commodores resume play in the morning with doubles at 9 a.m. ET.
“We are looking forward to another great day of competition tomorrow, and hope to learn from today,” said Tsoubanos.
Friday Results:
Doubles 9am
Antal/Leatu def. Rey/Parker (USF) 8-3
Preeg/Casares def. Grymel/Munoz (USF) 8-6
Kilborn/Blau (GT) def. Radeva/Gornet 8-3
Doubles 10 am
Preeg/Casares def. Fracassi/Bonte (USF) 8-2
Erkan/Segarelli (FSU) def. Radeva/Gornet 8-2
Singles noon
Elizabeth Kilborn (GT) def. Chelsea Preeg 3-6, 6-4, 6-0
Marie Casares def. Lynn Blau (GT) 6-3, 6-3
Nelly Radeva def. Candela Munoz (Troy) 6-3, 6-0
Olfa Dhaoui (Troy) def. Ashleigh Antal w/o
Megan Gornet def. Gabriella Viega (Troy) 7-6, 4-6, 7-6(13-11)