March 12, 2008
Match Notes: Furman at Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The ninth-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team closes out the non-conference part of its schedule this week as it hosts No. 65 Furman on Thursday and No. 41 Florida International on Friday. With wins, the Commodores can finish the non-conference schedule with a perfect 10-0 record.
“We try to schedule really tough non-conference opponents, and Furman and Florida International certainly fit into that category,” Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “Both teams will definitely make the NCAA Tournament. We’re looking to continue to build momentum.”
Vanderbilt went 2-1 last week, including a road win at defending national champion and second-ranked Georgia Tech and the team’s first conference win of the season against No. 21 LSU. The Commodores skyrocketed in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll released Tuesday, jumping 11 spots to No. 9.
Furman enters the match with an 8-4 overall record and a 2-0 mark in Southern Conference matches. The Paladins have a remarkable record of success in conference matches, having won 81 consecutive SoCon matches, dating back to the 1998-99 season. The Paladins have won five of their last six matches and recently entered the ITA rankings, coming in at No. 65 in the country.
Junior Laura Giola was named Southern Conference women’s tennis Player of the Week last week. Giola is a perfect 12-0 in singles in the spring and is ranked No. 93 nationally. Freshman Monica Arguello is also ranked for Furman, coming in at No. 108.
“They’re a really good team,” Macdonald said. “We played them earlier in the year at the Furman Fall Tournament. (Furman Head Coach) Debbie Southern does one of the best jobs in the country year in and year out.”
Florida International has a record of 5-5 overall. The Panthers have won two consecutive matches, defeating Stetson 7-0 and Boston University 6-1. FIU is led by Liset Brito, who is ranked 88th nationally in singles. Brito is 5-4 on the season in singles play. The Panthers also have a doubles team ranked. The tandem of Egle Petrauskaite and Brito are ranked No. 20 in the country.
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series against both Furman and Florida International, owning a 5-2 edge in the series with the Paladins and a 1-0 advantage against FIU.
Opening serve for both matches is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CDT) at the Currey Tennis Center. Admission for both matches is free.