NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt No. 1 women’s tennis team began the dual season in dominant fashion, sweeping the Denver Pioneers 4-0 on day one of the ITA Kickoff Weekend.
While the Pioneers put up a tremendous fight in doubles action, VU pulled out victories on courts one and three to give VU the 1-0 advantage.
Fernanda Contreras and Ellie Yates put up a great performance on court three with an easy 6-1 victory over DU’s Van Genechten/Derbyshire. No. 11 Courtney Colton and Sydney finished the job with a 6-4 defeat over No. 44 O’Loughlin/Slattery.
“I thought Denver played really well in doubles,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “Overall, I was imoressed by them; I complemented their coach, they’re a good team. In particularly their No. 2 player (Maureen Slattery) played a great match against Frances Altick, and Frances dida great job coming back to get that first set. But it was a great start to the season.
In singles action, Commodore fans welcomed back Georgina Sellyn and Yates who missed out on last season’s dual action due to injuries. Sellyn, a redshirt-junior, came back with a vengeance, only allowing Denver’s Derbyshire three games in her 6-2, 6-1 victory on court four.
“I give her (Sellyn) a lot a credit. She had a bad ankle injury and missed all last year. When she was coming back she developed a wrist injury. So she’s come back from two surgeries and has worked extremely hard and is playing well. I also thought Ellie Yates did a superb job in the doubles and the singles, and she to did not get to play much due to injury. So the perseverance of both of those two speaks to their character.”
No. 24 Sydney Campbell brought in VU’s third point of the morning with a 6-2, 6-2 win over No. 64 O’Loughlin. The victory was the juniors fifth win over a ranked opponent this season, and cracked a tough three-match losing streak.
Fernanda Contreras played at No. 5 for the ‘Dores in her first collegiate dual match. The
San Luis Potosi, Mexico native brought spirit and flare to both of her matches, and clinched the VU victory with a 6-3, 6-2 win over senior Evy Van Genechten.
“I’m really excited to be in the final of the Kickoff. It’s great to get past practice and get back into match play.”
Vanderbilt hits the court Sunday at 2:00 pm, taking on Brown University in the ITA Kickoff championship. Denver and Penn State will play in the 10:00 am CT consolation match, as the Bears defeated the Nittany Lions 4-0.
Results:
Doubles:
1) #11 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell (VU) def. #44 Maureen Slattery/Julia O’Loughlin (DU); 6-4
2) Bianca Mok/Morgan Barnhill (DU) led Frances Altick/Georgina Sellyn (VU); 5-4
3) Fernanda Contreras/Ellie Yates (VU) def. Evy Van Genechten/Charlotte Derbyshire (DU); 6-1
Finishes: 3, 1*
Singles:
1) #24 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. #64 Julia O’Loughlin (DU); 6-2, 6-2
2) #15 Frances Altick (VU) led Maureen Slattery (DU); 7-6 (1), 3-2
3) Courtney Colton (VU) led Bianca Mok (DU); 6-3, 5-4
4) Georgina Sellyn (VU) def. Charlotte Darbyshire (DU); 6-2, 6-1
5) Fernanda Contreras (VU) def. Evy Van Genechten (DU); 6-3, 6-2
6) Ellie Yates (VU) led. Morgan Barnhill (DU); 6-1, 0-0
Finishes: 4, 1, 5*
