May 30, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team closed out the season ranked 10th in the final poll released by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Additionally, four Commodores closed the season ranked nationally in singles and Vanderbilt had one doubles team ranked to close the year.
The Commodores closed the season with a 20-6 record, marking the 11th time in school history the team had reached 20 wins in a season. Vanderbilt also advanced to its 14th straight NCAA Tournament and reached the round of 16 for the 10th straight year, before falling to Florida 4-1. The `Dores were ranked throughout the season, including being ranked as high as No. 9 earlier in the season.
Four Commodores were in the final singles poll released by the ITA, led by senior Amanda Taylor, who closed the year ranked 20th. The Richland, Wash., native finished her senior season with a 27-8 record and a 20-4 mark in dual matches. The first team All-SEC member closed her season in the NCAA Singles Championships, falling in three sets to eventual national champion Amanda McDowell of Georgia Tech.
Sophomore Catherine Newman finished the year ranked 51st in singles. Newman, a second team All-SEC member, had a 25-11 overall singles record and a 15-8 record in dual matches. Newman also lost in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championships, dropping a straight set decision to Baylor’s Taylor Ormond.
Junior Courtney Ulery comes in at No. 77 in singles to close the year. The Wellington, Fla., native had 29 wins in her junior season, including starting the year with 20 straight victories, which ranks as the longest singles winning streak in school history.
Senior Taka Bertrand closes the season ranked 97th in singles. Bertrand finished her collegiate career with a 124-34 singles record, which ranks as the most singles wins in school history. Bertrand had a 30-7 record in her senior season, including an impressive 22-3 dual match record, earning her first team All-SEC honors.
The Commodores also placed a doubles team in the final national rankings. Taylor and Courtney Ulery are ranked 24th in the final doubles poll. The pair had a 15-8 dual match record and were awarded a bid to the NCAA Doubles Championships. The tandem dropped their opening round match to Romy Farah and Laura Vallverdu of Miami (FL).