NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The No. 8 Vanderbilt women’s tennis team capped its last regular season home match on a fantastic note, upsetting the No. 6 Florida Gators 4-1.
Giving the Gators their first SEC loss of the year and second overall, Sunday’s win was the second time in as many weeks that the `Dores have come out victorious over a top 10 team.
The Commodores continued their trend of success at the Currey Tennis Center, establishing their second undefeated home record in a row; as well as a 21-0 home win streak.
Vanderbilt put on a great overall team performance in doubles, as all three courts were all in sync, shifting momentum away from the Gators an hour into doubles action.
On court three Marie Casares and Frances Altick picked up the first win of the day, earning a vital ranked doubles win over No. 31 Peggy Porter/Josie Kuhlman, 8-5.
No. 24 Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma clinched the advantage for the Commodore squad, defeating No. 54 Spencer Liang/Belinda Woolcock, 8-6. No. 18 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell were in a tiebreak on one against No. 8 Austin/Keegan when the doubles was clinched on two.
The Commodores carried over their momentum into singles play, making a statement by taking four first sets. With a loud crowd on the outdoor courts of Currey, the stage was set for the `Dores 10th home win of the season.
Campbell garnered VU’s second point as she put on a true performance on court one, defeating No. 5 Brooke Austin 6-3, 6-2. With her sixth win in a row; the sophomore now owns the Vanderbilt single season win record at 33 singles wins.
In her last regular season home match, senior No. 96 Casares powered through her match on five generating the third point for her team in a tremendous 6-1, 6-3 win over No. 41 Woolcock.
No. 100 Colton put up an extremely hard battle in her first set, being taken to a tiebreak on court three, but the junior fell to No. 24 Morgan 7-6(5), 6-0.
With the 3-1 advantage, Astra Sharma won her first three games in a row for the Commodores, taking her first set 6-3 over the 7th ranked Josie Kuhlman. The redshirt freshman clinched the match for the Commodores by handing Kuhlman her first SEC loss, 6-3, 6-4.
After dropping her first set 6-1 to No. 37 Keegan, the determined junior, No. 111 Altick, was forming a comeback at 4-all in the second set when the match was clinched on four. On court six, Antal was taken to three sets and leading No. 112 Porter 6-3, 2-6, 3-1 when her follow Commodores stormed court two to celebrate the clinch over UF.
Vanderbilt concludes its regular season on the road next weekend, traveling to Texas A&M Friday and LSU Sunday.
April 5, 2015
Nashville, Tenn,
Currey Tennis Center
No. 8 Vanderbilt 4, No. 6 Florida 1
Doubles:
1) No. 8 Brooke Austin/Kourtney Keegan (UF) led No. 18 Courtney Colton/Sydney Campbell (VU); 7-7(3-1)
2) No. 24 Ashleigh Antal/Astra Sharma (VU) def. No. 54 Spencer Liang/Belinda Woolcock (UF); 8-6
3) Marie Casares/Frances Altick (VU) def. No. 31 Peggy Porter/Josie Kuhlman (UF); 8-5
Order of Finish; 3, 2*
Singles:
1) No. 12 Sydney Campbell (VU) def. No. 5 Brooke Austin (UF); 6-3, 6-2
2) N0. 71 Astra Sharma (VU) def. No. 7 Josie Kuhlman (UF); 6-3, 6-4
3) No. 24 Brianna Morgan (UF) def. No. 100 Courtney Colton (VU); 7-6(5), 6-0
4) No. 37 Kourtney Keegan (UF) led No. 111 Frances Altick (VU); 6-1, 4-4
5) No. 96 Marie Casares (VU) def. No. 41 Belinda Woolcock (UF); 6-1, 6-3
6) Ashleigh Antal (VU) led No. 112 Peggy Porter (UF); 6-3, 2-6, 3-1
Order of Finish; 1, 5, 3, 2*
