March 18, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The seventh-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team continues conference action this weekend, hosting the No. 18 LSU Tigers Saturday, March 19th, at noon.
Heading into Saturday’s match, the Commodores come off a huge 6-1 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies. The victory was broadcasted live over the SECN+, and was the first over TAMU in conference history.
VU dropped the doubles point on courts two and three, but pulled off the upset on court one as Courtney Colton and Astra Sharma defeated No. 41 Pierson/Paalma 7-6(5).
With the point awarded to the Aggies, Vanderbilt rebounded quickly in singles play. The Commodores secured four first sets, in route to a singles sweep. No. 16 Altick continues relentless tennis, extending her undefeated dual streak to nine matches. The senior’s victory came in a clinch on court three, taking down Rachel Pierson 7-6, 6-2. With the match clinched, courts four and five were played out.
Three Commodores are listed in the Oracle/ITA rankings, with Altick leading the trio at No. 16. Sydney Campbell follows at No. 24, with Sharma rounding it off at No. 33. In doubles, Campbell and Colton team up as the No. 9 team in the country, with Sharma and Ellie Yates following at No. 61.
Scouting the Tigers:
LSU currently owns the No. 18 ranking in the country, and an 14-5 record. In conference play, the Tigers are 3-2 with wins at Alabama and most recently at Kentucky. The squad’s two losses of SEC play came against Auburn and MSU.
The Tigers boast two ranked singles players and doubles teams in the latest Oracle/ITA rankings.
Ryann Foster rides a 17-match win streak, with victories on courts three and four. at No. 5 Owens rides a seven-match win streak.
Vanderbilt leads the all-time series against the Tigers 24-14. LSU’s last victory over VU came in the 1997 season. In their last meeting, the Commodores knocked off the Tigers 5-1 in Baton Rouge.
Rankings:
Singles:
Frances Altick (VU); No. 16
Sydney Campbell (VU); No. 24
Astra Sharma (VU); No. 33
Joana Vale Costa (LSU); No. 20
Jessica Golovin (LSU); No. 57
Doubles:
Campbell/Colton (VU); No. 9
Sharma/Yates (VU); No. 61
Vale Costa/Foster (LSU); No. 68