April 14, 2016
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 6 Vanderbilt women’s tennis team closes out its regular season at home this weekend, playing host to the 12th-ranked Auburn Tigers Friday at 4:00 and the No. 62 Alabama Crimson Tide Sunday at 1:00 pm CT.
Prior to Sunday’s match, Vandy will honor its four seniors, Frances Altick, Courtney Colton, Maggie Leavell and Ellie Yates for their commitment to the Vanderbilt tennis program at 12:45 pm.
VU heads into the weekend on an eight-match winning streak, having only dropped four matches this season to three teams (OSU 2x, UF, SC). The Commodores look to closeout the season generating its third straight 11-2-conference record and undefeated home record. Vandy currently sits behind Florida and Georgia at third place in the league.
There was no movement for VU in the latest Oracle/ITA singles rankings, as Altick (13), Sydney Campbell (19) and Astra Sharma (21) all remain in the top-25. In doubles Colton and Campbell fell one spot to No. 11 in the nation.
Scouting Auburn:
With an 8-3-conference record, the Tigers sit directly behind Vanderbilt in the SEC standings at fourth. Auburn’s three league losses came against Georgia, Arkansas and most recently in a 4-0 loss to Florida. Like the Commodores, three Tigers appear in the singles rankings; Dikosavljevic (26), Michaud (38) and Burgmans (94). In tandems the Tigers’ Michard/Burgmans come in at No. 17. In their last meeting, the Commodores defeated AU 6-1 on the road.
Surveying the Tide:
Before traveling to West End, the 4-15 Alabama Crimson Tide take on No. 20 Kentucky Friday night. With a 0-11 conference slate, Alabama went 0-2 in its final home weekend of the season, falling 6-1 to No. 6 Florida before being edged out by No. 10 South Carolina, 4-3. In the latest ITA rankings, Erin Routliffe moved to No. 28 in singles, while Andie Daniell jumped to 42. Doubles has Daniell and Routliffe at No. 55, while Routliffe and Maynetto stand at No. 78. Sunday’s match will be the 42nd meeting, as Vandy holds an edge, 24-17. Last season, VU defeated Bama 4-3 in the regular season, and 4-0 at the SEC tournament.