Third Set Thrillers Deciding Factor

Women’s tennis drops 4-3 decision to visiting Arkansas

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt women’s tennis fought to the end Friday afternoon as the Commodores dropped a 4-3 decision to SEC rival Arkansas.  

After the Razorbacks clinched the doubles points, the Commodores had a strong outing in singles, taking five of the six first sets. Three courts went to decisive third sets as the match came down to the top court with it tied 3-3. 

Seeing Double 

  • Battling on Court 3, Marcella Cruz and Amy Stevens fell to their Razorback opponents to open the match. 
  • After being tied at three-all, the Razorbacks clinched the doubles point as Anessa Lee and Holly Staff dropped the 6-3 decision. 
  • Competing against the No. 28 ranked doubles team, Anna Ross and Yufei Long were locked in a 4-5 set when their match was called. 

Singles Strides 

  • Dasha Kourkina knotted things up for the Dores with a win in straight sets on Court 6, 6-0 and 6-2. 
  • On Court 5, Stevens dropped a close two set match. After dropping the first outing, 2-6, she came back in the second but was unable to force a third set, ultimately falling 4-6. 
  • Lee knotted things back up at 2-2 for the Dores with a series of 7-6(0) and 6-4 wins on Court 2. 
  • Long took set one, 6-4, before her Razorback opponent tied things up with a 6-3 win of her own. Ultimately, the Razorbacks took the decisive third set, 6-2, for their third point of the afternoon. 
  • In a matter of seconds, Staff had tied things back up with a third set win on Court 4 as both teams looked to clinch on the final court. 
  • After breezing to a 6-2 first set win, Ross dropped her next two sets, 6-3, in a close battle on Court 1. 

Up Next
The Commodores round out alumni weekend Sunday at 12:30 p.m. when they host Missouri as part of a double header with the men’s team.