EVANSTON, Ill. – The 5th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team had a quick turnaround between Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Ohio State, and Sunday’s match against No. 25 Northwestern. Vandy ended the weekend going 1-1 against ITA Top-25 teams, with a 4-3 victory over the Wildcats.
For the third match in a row, Vanderbilt began the competition by faltering in doubles action. Astra Sharma and Ellie Yates suffered a 6-0 loss on court two to give the Wildcats the upper hand. No. 9 Alex Chatt and Maddie Lipp delivered Courtney Colton and Sydney Campbell their second straight loss to a top ten team, as the Northwestern tandem took court one; 6-2.
In singles the Commodores allowed Northwestern the 2-0 advantage, before No.20 Campbell could get the squad on the board with a 6-3, 6-3 win on court one.
The top end of the Vandy lineup leveled the score to 2-all as No. 16 Frances Altick picked up her eighth ranked win of the year on a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 51 Maddie Lipp.
Yates earned a crucial victory on court six to give Vanderbilt a 3-2 advantage. The Ridgeland, Miss. Native defeated Brooke Rischbieth 6-3, 6-3 for her 20th singles victory with the black and gold.
Match score was tied once again as the Wildcats took court three. The Commodores’ looked to Fernanda Contraras to dig deep for the team and clinch the VU victory.
The San Luis Potosi, Mexico native was battling in the third set on court five when eyes turned toward her. Contreras earned an early 4-2 lead, and hung on to achieve her second career clinch; 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Vandy remains on the road next week, traveling to a place with fond NCAA memories, Waco, Texas. The Commodores take on No. 29 Baylor on February 20th at 11:30 am CT.
#5 Vanderbilt 4, #25 Northwestern 3
Doubles
- #9 Alex Chatt/Maddie Lipp (NU) def. #9 Sydney Campbell/Courtney Colton (VU) 6-2
- #35 Alicia Barnett/Erin Larner (NU) def. Astra Sharma/Ellie Yates (VU) 6-0
- Manon Peri/Brooke Rischbieth (NU) vs. Francis Altick/Fernanda Contreras (VU) 2-4 (unfinished)
Order of finish: 2, 1*
Singles
- #20 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. Alicia Barnett (NU) 6-3, 6-3
- #16 Francis Altick (VU) def. #51 Maddie Lipp (NU) 6-1, 6-4
- Erin Larner (NU) def. Courtney Colton (VU) 6-4, 6-3
- Alex Chatt (NU) def. Georgina Sellyn (VU) 6-2, 6-0
- Fernanda Contreras (VU) def. Jillian Rooney (NU) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
- Ellie Yates (VU) def. Brooke Rischbieth (NU) 6-3, 6-3
Order of finish: 4, 1, 2, 6, 4, 5*
