April 30, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Amanda Taylor and sophomore Catherine Newman were selected to represent Vanderbilt at the NCAA Singles Championships May 21-26 in Tulsa, Okla. The Commodore duo of Taylor and Courtney Ulery were also awarded a bid in the NCAA Doubles Championships.
“I’m delighted for all three of them,” Vanderbilt women’s tennis head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “This is quite an accomplishment for Courtney (Ulery) and for Catherine to be going for the second straight year as a sophomore is also a great accomplishment. I’m excited for all three of the girls and happy that Vanderbilt will be well represented in the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.”
The singles field for the NCAA Championships consists of the top 64 players, while 32 teams are selected for the doubles field.
Taylor, a 2008 first team All-SEC recipient, will be making her second-straight appearance in the NCAA Singles Championships. The Richland, Wash., native advanced to the round of 32 in last year’s singles championships, defeating Southern California’s Sarah Fansler in the first round. Taylor, currently ranked 17th nationally in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, finished the regular season with a 19-4 dual match record and 26-8 overall singles record.
Newman will also be making her second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Singles Championships. Currently ranked 48th in singles, Newman was a second-team All-SEC honoree. She also advanced to the round of 32 in last year’s singles championships, upsetting No. 19 Laura Vallverdu from Miami in the first round. This season, Newman has compiled a 14-8 dual match record in singles and a 24-11 overall singles record.
The doubles team of Taylor and Courtney Ulery were selected for the NCAA Doubles Championships. Taylor will be making her third appearance in the doubles championships, while Ulery will be making her initial appearance. Taylor becomes the first Vanderbilt player to make three appearances in the NCAA Doubles Championships with three different partners. Last season, Taylor teamed with Amanda Fish and advanced to the quarterfinals before falling. Taylor and Ulery are currently ranked 21st in doubles and have a 15-6 dual match record, including an 8-3 mark in conference matches.
The complete Vanderbilt women’s tennis team will open its quest for an NCAA title on Friday, May 9 at 1 p.m. (CT) against Indiana State. For complete coverage of the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team, log on to vucommodores.com.