COLUMBIA, Mo. – Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald picked up his 500th career victory Friday, as the Commodores defeated Missouri 7-0 at the Missouri Tennis Complex.
Macdonald becomes one of just 11 Division I women’s tennis head coaches to reach 500 career wins and is one of seven active coaches to have reached the milestone. The Vandy head coach is in his 20th season with the Commodores, and coach for six years prior to that at both Duke (three seasons) and LSU (three seasons). Macdonald holds a career record of 500-183, including a record of 386-147 with the Commodores.
“It’s an incredible milestone,” said Macdonald. “To be honest I had no idea I was that close until I received a text from a friend of mine yesterday.”
“When I think about this accomplishment I think about all of the players coaches and staff members I have been so lucky to work with over the years in my time at LSU, Duke and Vanderbilt. I’ve been so fortunate to spend these last 20 years at Vanderbilt; what it stands for both academically and athletically makes it such a great place to coach. I am truly privileged.”
Vanderbilt (10-3, 3-0 SEC) got off to a good start in its first SEC road match of the season winning the doubles point for the seventh consecutive time.
Freshman Sydney Campbell rejoined the team after sitting out nearly two months due to injury. She teamed up with Georgina Sellynat No. 3 doubles. The duo, playing together for the first time this season, clinched the point with a 8-5 win.
Marie Casares and Frances Altick set up the clinch with their 8-2 win at No. 2. No. 36 Lauren Mira and Courtney Coltonwent unfinished leading 7-6.
“With Sydney back and Ashleigh out of the lineup today (sickness), we played with two new doubles teams,” Macdonald said. “We played a very disciplined match, I think our new combos really stepped up.”
Vanderbilt kept its strong play going into singles, winning first sets on all six courts.
No. 81 Courtney Colton put the Commodores up 2-0 winning quickly at No. 4. The sophomore knocked off Mizzou’s Madison Rhyner 6-0, 6-1. Colton’s win is her sixth-straight after starting dual play 1-5.
Colton’s doubles partner Mira put the `Dores up 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 5. Altick knocked off Rachel Stuhlmann, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 3, to seal Macdonald’s 500th career win.
Casares extended her match win streak to 15 with her 6-3, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles against Tracey Dong.
No. 60 Sellyn got her dual record back to .500 with a 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (8) win at No. 1.
No. 107 Campbell, at No. 2 singles, won 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 in her first match since January 26.
“It was good to see Sydney play at a high level after a long layoff,” Macdonald said. “Everyone really showed up today which made me very proud. Our goal each time out is to have everyone play at the top of their game, and we accomplished that today.”
The Commodores will continue road action on Sunday as they travel to College Station, Texas to take on No. 10 Texas A&M. The match against the Aggies is set for noon.
#7 Vanderbilt 7, Mizzou 0
Singles competition
1. #60 Georgina Sellyn (VU) def. Cierra Gaytan-Leach (MU) 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8)
2. #107 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. Kelli Hine (MU) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
3. Frances Altick (VU) def. Rachel Stuhlmann (MU) 6-0, 6-2
4. #81 Courtney Colton (VU) def. Madison Rhyner (MU) 6-0, 6-1
5. Lauren Mira (VU) def. Cassidy Spearman (MU) 6-3, 6-3
6. Marie Casares (VU) def. Tracy Dong (MU) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Cierra Gaytan-Leach/Rachel Stuhlmann (MU) vs. #36 Lauren Mira/Courtney Colton (VU) 6-7, unfinished
2. Frances Altick/Marie Casares (VU) def. Cassidy Spearman/Madison Rhyner (MU) 8-2
3. Georgina Sellyn/Sydney Campbell (VU) def. Kelli Hine/Tracy Dong (MU) 8-5
Match Notes:
Vanderbilt 10-3; National ranking #7
Mizzou 4-9
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (4,5,3,6,1,2)
A-172
