NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 11 Vanderbilt women’s tennis team won its fourth-consecutive match as it defeated No. 30 Auburn 5-2 on Friday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center. Vanderbilt improves to 12-3 and 2-3 in conference play, while Auburn drops to 12-4 and 3-2 in league play.
The Commodores jumped out to an early lead by sweeping all three doubles matches to win the doubles point. Amanda Taylor and Courtney Ulery snapped a two-match losing streak to upset No. 18 Alex Haney and Melissa Koning 8-6 at No. 1 doubles. At the second doubles position, Catherine Newman and Caroline Ferrell were victorious over Jil Hastenrath and Gaby Beelen 8-6. Taka Bertrand and Keilly Ulery closed out the sweep at No. 3 doubles, winning 8-6 over Fani Chifchieva and Dunja Djuranovic.
The Commodores won four of the six singles matches, winning at the last four singles position. At No. 3 singles, No. 94 Bertrand became the all-time singles wins leader in Vanderbilt history as she defeated Koning in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. The win was Bertrand’s 115th of her Vanderbilt career.
Courtney Ulery won a three-set match over Whitney Chappell at the fourth singles position. After dropping the first set 6-2, Ulery won the next two sets 6-2, 6-2 to claim the match.
Keilly Ulery won in straight sets over Hastenrath at No. 5 singles. Ulery won in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. Ferrell was the fourth Commodore to win in singles, as she defeated Gaby Beelen 7-5, 6-2 at No. 6 singles.
At No. 1 singles, No. 24 Chifchieva won a hard-fought, three-set match against No. 22 Taylor. Chifchieva won the opening set 7-5, but Taylor bounced back to win the second set 6-1. Chifchieva won a 10-point tiebreaker 13-11 to claim the match.
Haney defeated Newman at No. 2 singles. Haney won the opening set 6-2, but Newman came back to win 6-3 in the second set. Haney captured the deciding third set 7-5.
Vanderbilt now leads the all-time series against Auburn 19-13 and has won 17 consecutive meetings against the Tigers.
The Commodores return to action on Sunday as they face Alabama at 1 p.m. in Tuscaloosa.
Friday’s Results:
No. 11 Vanderbilt 5 def. No. 30 Auburn 2
Doubles:
1. Amanda Taylor/Courtney Ulery (VU) def. No. 18 Alex Haney/Melissa Koning (AU) – 8-6
2. Catherine Newman/Caroline Ferrell (VU) def. Jil Hastenrath/Gaby Beelen (AU) – 8-6
3. Taka Bertrand/Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Fani Chifchieva/Dunja Djuranovic (AU) – 8
Singles:
1. No. 24 Fani Chifchieva (AU) def. No. 22 Amanda Taylor (VU) – 7-5, 1-6, 1-0 (11)
2. Alex Haney (AU) def. No. 34 Catherine Newman (VU) – 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
3. No. 94 Taka Bertrand (VU) def. Melissa Koning (AU) – 6-3, 6-4
4. No. 58 Courtney Ulery (VU) def. Whitney Chappell (AU) – 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Keilly Ulery (VU) def. Jil Hastenrath (AU) – 6-4, 6-3
6. Caroline Ferrell (VU) def. Gaby Beelen (AU) – 7-5, 6-2
Updated Team Records: Vanderbilt (12-3, 2-3 SEC); Auburn (12-4, 3-2 SEC)
