VU upset by Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team was upset by 21st-ranked University of Tennessee, 5-2, Sunday afternoon at Barksdale Stadium on the campus of UT.

In doubles play, Rachael Dillon and Alex Leatu defeated Natalie Pluskot and Millie Nichols in the No. 1 match, but Tennessee claimed matches two and three to earn the doubles point. Keilly Ulery and Lauren Mira battled back from a 5-0 deficit, but lost an 8-5 decision on court three. Jackie Wu and Chelsea Preeg dropped their match, 8-3, on court two.

With a 1-0 lead entering singles, the Lady Vols claimed four of six matches en route to the 5-2 victory. Dillon picked up a 6-4, 6-4 win over Maria Sorbello in the No. 5 match, while Preeg extended her win streak to 10 matches with a 5-7, 7-5, 1-0(10-5) win in the No. 3 match.

Ulery lost to Nichols, 6-4, 6-2, on court six, and Wu dropped a 6-2, 6-3, decision to Rosalia Alda in the No. 2 match. UT’s Pluskota clinched the match with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Leatu in the No. 1 matchup. Mira fought to take her match to a third set, but fell 6-4, 7-6(4) on court four.

The Commodores step out of conference play next weekend when Georgia Tech visits the Currey Tennis Center. The match is scheduled for Saturday, March 19 at noon.