TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – It was a great day for Vanderbilt women’s tennis, as the Commodores came out victorious in a top-10 SEC showdown. After falling in doubles, the No. 10 Commodores edged out No. 9 Alabama in singles play by a score of 4-3.
The Commodores began Sunday’s match in a one-point deficit as the Crimson Tide took courts one and three. No 24 Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma gave a strong performance on court one, but the pairing of No. 4 of Erin Routliffe/Maya Jansen proved too much as they pulled out an 8-5 win.
With all three Tide teams ranked in the ITA, the Commodores challenges continued on court three as No. 68 Perez/Spielmann defeated Casares/Altick, 8-4.
“We played a really great match,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “I give Alabama a lot of credit they played great doubles. They were just more aggressive and took it to us, but we didn’t panic we just kind of went out and regrouped and handled business in singles.”
Alabama tacked on another point, as No. 48 Maya Jansen defeated No. 100 Courtney Colton; 6-3, 6-2.
“Alabama got up 2-zip in singles, and then we won four straight matches. Sydney Campbell played a really good match at one; kind of a testy and competitive match on the road in the SEC. Frances (Altick) beat a player who has beaten her twice in college, and played just a very disciplined match. It was a great win for her.”
Antal generated the Commodores first point, as she gave a commanding performance battling at the No. 6 spot of the Commodore lineup. The senior defeated Zabor 6-2, 6-4.Sophomore Sydney Campbell defeated No. 30 Erin Routliffe, 6-2, 7-6(2).
With the match at 2-all, Altick gave the Commodores the advantage, defeating longtime opponent Natalia Maynetto 6-3, 6-0. Senior Casares clinched the VU victory in three, putting in a workmanlike effort over UA’s Perez; 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Although the match was clinched, No. 71 Sharma and No. 66 Spielmann continued their competition on court two. The redshirt freshman endured her third loss of the dual season and only second loss of SEC play in a 7-6(6), 2-6, 6-3 loss.
“I think the story of the day was what our seniors did. Ashleigh was down 4-1 in the second and regrouped going five-straight games over a very tough opponent in Emily Zabor. And Marie (Casares) clinched the match the match for us against another senior, Perez, who as won a lot of tough matches for Alamama. Give Marie a lot of credit.”
The No. 10 Commodores return to West End next weekend for their final two home stays, hosting the South Carolina Gamecocks Friday and Florida Gators Sunday.
Results:
#10 Vanderbilt 4, #9 Alabama 3
Singles competition
- #12 Sydney Campbell (VANDY) def. #30 Erin Routliffe (UA) 6-2, 7-6 (7-2)
- #66 Danielle Spielmann (UA) def. #71 Astra Sharma (VANDY) 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3
- #48 Maya Jansen (UA) def. #100 Courtney Colton (VANDY) 6-3, 6-1
- #111 Frances Altick (VANDY) def. Natalia Maynetto (UA) 6-3, 6-0
- #98 Marie Casares (VANDY) def. Luicelena Perez (UA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
- Ashleigh Antal (VANDY) def. Emily Zabor (UA) 6-2, 6-4
Doubles competition
- #4 Erin Routliffe/Maya Jansen (UA) def. #24 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VANDY) 8-5
- #47 Emily Zabor/Natalia Maynetto (UA) vs. #18 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell (VANDY) 6-4, unfinished
- #68 Luicelena Perez/Danielle Spielmann (UA) def. Frances Altick/Marie Casares (VANDY) 8-4
Match Notes:
Vanderbilt 12-5; National ranking #10
Alabama 13-5; National ranking #9
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (3,6,1,4,5,2)
T-4:00 A-200
