NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald picked up his 300th win at Vanderbilt as the Commodores (19-5, 7-4 SEC) swept Indiana State (13-7, 8-0) 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center. Kentucky defeated Boise State 4-1 in the other first round match to set up Saturday’s second round tilt between the Commodores and Wildcats at noon (CT).
“Indiana State has a really good team,” Macdonald said. “They were probably the toughest first round opponent we have ever played. This day is always tough with graduation and the first round of the NCAA Tournament going on.”
The win marked a milestone in the career of Macdonald. After picking up his 400th career win earlier in the season, Macdonald earned win No. 300 as the Commodore head coach with the win over Indiana State. Macdonald’s record at Vanderbilt stands at 300-95, while his career record is 414-131.
Vanderbilt captured the doubles point to take an early 1-0 lead. Playing together at No. 2 doubles for the first time since the March 2 match at South Carolina, Taka Bertrand and Catherine Newman easily defeated Marie Caujolle and Valeriia Petrovych 8-2.
The Commodores clinched the doubles point with a win at No. 3 doubles. Caroline Ferrell and Keilly Ulery got past Sarah Meghoufel and Fadzai Masiyazi 8-4 to give the `Dores an early advantage.
The match between Indiana State’s Jennifer Migan and Joanne Schickerling and VU’s Amanda Taylor and Courtney Ulery was suspended with ISU up 6-5 when Vanderbilt clinched the doubles point.
Vanderbilt extended its lead to 2-0 at No. 5 singles. Freshman Keilly Ulery got past Masiyazi in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-1. Ulery improves to 15-5 in dual matches on the season.
Courtney Ulery brought Vanderbilt within one point of clinching the match with a win at No. 4 singles. Ulery defeated Petrovych 6-3, 6-2 to improve to 16-7 in dual match play.
Vanderbilt clinched the match and advanced to Saturday’s second round with Ferrell’s win on court six. After going through commencement exercises just a few hours earlier, the Vanderbilt senior won the opening set convincingly 6-1, and won the second set 6-4 to seal Vanderbilt’s 31st NCAA Tournament win.
“Right now, it’s a little surreal,” Ferrell said. “I really haven’t had a chance to sit down and think about it all. I think tonight it will finally start to sink in. It feels good to be able to clinch the match for my team.”
Three singles matches were suspended once the Commodores clinched the match. At No. 1 singles, Migan lead Taylor 7-5, 2-1. Newman enjoyed a 6-1, 4-3 advantage over Meghoufel at No. 2 singles. At the third singles position, Bertrand led Schickerling 7-5, 4-1.
Kentucky defeated Boise State 4-1 earlier in the day to advance to the second round. The Wildcats and Commodores met earlier in the season in Nashville, with Vanderbilt earning a hard-fought 5-2 victory. The winner of tomorrow’s match advances to Tulsa, Okla., for the NCAA Round of 16.
“We had a very close match with Kentucky the first time,” Macdonald said. “We have a lo of respect for them. They are very well coached and a great team. Tomorrow should be a great regional championship match.”
Tickets for Saturday’s match will be available at the Currey Tennis Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and students with a valid college ID. Complete information on the NCAA Regional at Vanderbilt, as well as live stats, can be found at http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/w-tennis/08-ncaa-regional.html.
Vanderbilt 4, Indiana State 0
NCAA Tournament First Round
Currey Tennis Center – Nashville, Tenn.
Doubles Play:
1. Jennifer Migan/Joanne Schickerling (ISU) def. Amanda Taylor/Courtney Ulery (VU) – 6-5, susp.
2. Taka Bertrand/Catherine Newman (VU) def. Marie Caujolle/Valeriia Petrovych (ISU) – 8-2
3. Caroline Ferrell/Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Sarah Meghoufel/Fadzai Masiyazi (ISU) – 8-4
Order of Finish: 2, 3
Singles Play:
1. Jennifer Migan (ISU) led Amanda Taylor (VU) – 7-5, 2-1, susp.
2. Catherine Newman (VU) led Sarah Meghoufel (ISU) – 6-1, 4-3, susp.
3. Taka Bertrand (VU) led Joanne Schickerling (ISU) – 7-5, 4-1, susp.
4. Courtney Ulery (VU) def. Valeriia Petrovych (ISU) – 6-3, 6-2
5. Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Fadzai Masiyazi (ISU) – 6-1, 6-1
6. Caroline Ferrell (VU) def. Marie Caujolle (ISU) – 6-1, 6-4
Order of Finish: 5, 4, 6
Updated Team Records: Vanderbilt (19-5, 7-4 SEC); Indiana State (13-7, 8-0 MVC)
