NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After snow and COVID-19 protocols postponed Vanderbilt’s SEC opener four days, the Commodores put together a comeback effort down the stretch against No. 23 LSU but the Tigers took the 4-2 win.
The loss, Vanderbilt’s first of the season, makes the Commodores 8-1 overall while LSU improved to 7-0 with a 2-0 SEC record.
While the day started strong with Vanderbilt winning doubles, LSU came out fighting in singles and took four first sets in singles to set the tone for the afternoon.
With LSU up 3-1, No. 20 Christina Rosca closed out a straight-set 6-3, 7-5 win over Eden Richardson at No. 2 to make it a 3-2 Tiger lead. Trying to tie the match with Marcella Cruz rolling at No. 6, Emma Kurtz forced a second-set tiebreaker against No. 83 Safiya Carrington at No. 1 but Carrington pulled away late in the breaker to close out the 4-2 win with a 7-5, 7-6 (4) win.
On No. 6, Cruz was up 6-2, 2-0 on her opponent before the match was abandoned due to LSU’s team victory.
In doubles, Rosca and Anessa Lee cruised to a 6-2 win at No. 3 while Holly Staff and Anna Ross closed the doubles win thanks to a 6-3 win at No. 1.
Vanderbilt will continue its SEC schedule next weekend when it welcomes Auburn and Alabama to Currey Tennis Center. First serve is set for 3 p.m. on Friday against the Tigers and 1 p.m. on. Sunday against Alabama.
Results
Singles
1. #83 Safiya Carrington (LSU) def. Emma Kurtz (VANDY) 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
2. #20 Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Eden Richardson (LS) 6-3, 7-5
3. Paris Corley (LSU) def. Anna Ross (VANDY) 6-3, 6-4
4. Maggie Cubitt (LSU) def. Holly Staff (VANDY) 6-2, 6-3
5. Nina Geissler (LSU) def. Anessa Lee (VANDY) 6-2, 6-4
6. Marcella Cruz (VANDY) vs. Samantha Buyckx (LSU) 6-2, 2-0, unfinished
Doubles
1. Holly Staff/Anna Ross (VANDY) def. Eden Richardson/Nina Geissler (LSU) 6-3
2. Emma Kurtz/Marcella Cruz (VANDY) def. Maggie Cubitt/Safiya Carrington (LSU) 4-3
3. Christina Rosca/Anessa Lee (VANDY) def. Paris Corley/Taylor Bridges (LSU) 6-2
Match Notes:
LSU 7-0; National ranking #23
Vanderbilt 8-1; National ranking #9
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (3,4,5,2,1)
T-2:54
