April 11, 2008
Match Notes: No. 23 Kentucky at No. 12 Vanderbilt
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 12 Vanderbilt (16-4, 6-4 SEC) women’s tennis team closes out the regular season on Saturday as it welcomes No. 23 Kentucky to the Currey Tennis Center. Opening serve is slated for Noon (CST) and the match will serve as the final regular season home match for the three Vanderbilt seniors – Taka Bertrand, Caroline Ferrell and Amanda Taylor.
Bertrand, Ferrell and Taylor have all enjoyed successful careers at Vanderbilt. The team has compiled a record of 80-24 during their four-year career and has made the NCAA Tournament round of 16 the last three years. Bertrand was named SEC Player of the Year in 2006, while Taylor and Ferrell have each been named All-SEC during their careers.
“This has been an incredible class,” Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “It’s rare to have three players who have done what they have been able to do both academically and athletically. It’s always sad on Senior Day, but it’s bittersweet because you’re happy that they have had great careers and that they are graduating.”
The match also is crucial to seeding in the Southeastern Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament, scheduled for next week in Auburn, Ala. Vanderbilt enters the match with a 6-4 conference mark, a game ahead of Kentucky. If the `Dores win Saturday’s match, they would be assured of a first-round bye at the conference tournament and play in the quarterfinals on Friday, April 19. A loss may force Vanderbilt to have to play a first-round match on Thursday, April 18.
“We want to win because we want to win,” Macdonald said. “Seeding is very important, but we just want to get as many as victories as possible. We were disappointed by Sunday’s loss to Georgia. We think we’re getting better as a team.”
Kentucky enters its regular season finale with a 14-7 overall mark and 5-5 record in SEC matches. The Wildcats are currently tied for fifth in the Eastern Division, one game behind the Commodores.
Ranked 23rd in the latest poll released by the ITA, Kentucky has one player ranked nationally in singles. Sophomore Sarah Woestmann is rated No. 110 in the most recent singles poll.
“Kentucky is very athletic and play good doubles,” Macdonald added. “They have had some really good wins. We have lots of respect for them and we look forward to facing them on Saturday.”
The series between Vanderbilt and Kentucky has been closely fought with the Wildcats owning a 19-17 advantage. The Commodores have enjoyed recent success in the series, winning four straight matches, including a 4-2 win in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament last season.