KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Two doubles pairs will now be representing Vanderbilt women's tennis at the NCAA Doubles Championship after the Dores secured an additional qualifying bid on Saturday at the ITA South Sectional Championships hosted by Tennessee.
With an NCAA berth on the line, the sophomore duo of Erin Pearce and Mia Yamakita matched up with No. 1 seed Patricija Paukstyte and Bella Payne of Georgia. The Dores cruised through the first set 6-3 and looked to be on the same path in the second after taking a 5-3 lead. Georgia, however, overcame back-to-back Vanderbilt match points to even the frame 5-5. As a potential third set loomed, Pearce and Yamakita took control, claiming the next two games to seal the match win.
The pair join senior Valeria Ray and junior Sophia Webster, who won the ITA Ohio Valley Regional doubles title to earn their NCAA qualification. The 2026 NCAA individual championships marks the 24th straight tournament that Vanderbilt has qualified for. Pearce and Yamakita went 3-0 against SEC opponents in sectional play, which is the duo's longest doubles win streak against conference foes since a four-match run in March.
For more information, updates and exclusive content, follow the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team, @VandyWTennis, on Instagram and X.
Day 3 Results:
SINGLES
• (Cons.) No. 14 Valeria Ray [Vanderbilt] def. Chiara Di Genova [Mississippi State] 7-6 (0), 6-3
• (Cons.) Sophia Webster [Vanderbilt] def. Deborah Dominguez Collado [Lipscomb] Wo. - Inj.
DOUBLES
• Pearce/Yamakita [Vanderbilt] def. Paukstyte/Payne [Georgia] 6-4, 7-5
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was a flawless Saturday at the June Stewart Invitational as the Vanderbilt women's tennis team netted five victories across singles and doubles play from the Lummis Family Tennis Center.
Freshman Julie Jirakova got the ball rolling in doubles, picking up her first win of the weekend alongside Rice's Divna Ratkovic, 6-1, over Sarah Stoyanov Lipscomb and Kameliia Tytarenko of Missouri. Junior Trinetra Vijayakumar and freshman Nicole Weng added another doubles victory shortly after, fending off Ema Mravcova and Darya Schwartzman from Rice 7-6 (5).
In singles, Vijayakumar kept the moment going with a quick 6-2, 6-1 takedown of Mississippi State's Mia Robinson. Jirakova got in the win column once more after sinking Madison Hill of Western Kentucky 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The final singles match of the day was another contest between the Dores and Bulldogs with Weng versus Lauren Seye. After a back-and-forth three set battle, Weng pulled away to notch a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 win.
Doubles will again kick off the action on Sunday, with first serve set for 10 a.m. Singles play will follow. Live streaming is available online with live stats accessible here.
For more information, updates and exclusive content, follow the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team, @VandyWTennis, on Instagram and X.
Day 2 Results:
SINGLES
• Vijayakumar [Vanderbilt] def. Robinson [Mississippi State] 6-2, 6-1
• Jirakova [Vanderbilt] def. Hill [Western Kentucky] 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
• Weng [Vanderbilt] def. Seye [Mississippi State] 5-7, 6-3, 6-3
DOUBLES
• Vijayakumar/Weng [Vanderbilt] def. Mravcova/Schwartzman [Rice] 7-6 (5)
• Jirakova [Vanderbilt]/Ratkovic [Rice] def. Stoyanov [Lipscomb]/Tytarenko [Missouri] 6-1