Sept. 16, 2015
NASHVILLE. Tenn. – Tuesday afternoon the ITA released its premier set of singles and doubles rankings for the 2015-2016 season. For the first time in Vanderbilt history, the ‘Dores enter the season with four student-athletes ranked in the ITA top-50 in singles action. In doubles play, two tandems have been honored with a spot in the preseason ITA top-30.
“Preseason rankings are a very nice accolade and bit of attention”, said coach Geoff Macdonald. “They’re really reflective on what they did last year, but we’ve got some great opportunities coming up. We’ve got three players going out to LA for the Oracle ITA Invite, and four going on to Miami for the Fall Invite. The fall is about developing and improving and figuring out what you need to go up a level. We’re playing some really good competition, and they’ve earned these opportunities.”
Entering the fall, junior Sydney Campbell leads the ‘Dores as the top ranked singles player at No. 7. NCAA and SEC tournament MVP, Astra Sharma, follows closely behind at No. 14. Courtney Colton enters her final season with the Black and Gold as No. 34 in the country. Rounding out the Commodore quartet is senior Frances Altick who comes in at No. 49.
In preseason doubles, Colton and Campbell climbed nine spots from last seasons’ concluding rankings, debuting in their final season as the No. 4 team in the nation. Sharma and Altick will begin the year ranked No. 28.
“We both just really want to build off the success of last year”, said Colton. “We as a team have really come together and we have a really solid relationship on the court. We’re at a great starting point, No. 4 in the country it’s a really big deal for us, but it’s only up still from here.”