Sept. 10, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three Vanderbilt women’s tennis players are ranked in the preseason ITA singles poll, released last Friday. Additionally, two Commodore doubles teams are ranked in the poll.
Senior Amanda Taylor is the highest-ranked Commodore in the poll, coming in at No. 20. Taylor is coming off a season that saw her finish with a 36-8 singles record, including a 10-1 record in conference matches. The Richland, Wash., native finished last season ranked 32nd in singles and earned First Team All-SEC honors.
Following close behind Taylor is sophomore Catherine Newman. Newman enters the poll at No. 28. Newman enjoyed a highly successful freshman campaign, finishing the season with a 33-9 singles record. Newman also earned First Team All-SEC honors for her stellar play.
Taka Bertrand is Vanderbilt’s final player ranked in the singles portion of the poll. The senior from Great Falls, Va., is ranked 73rd. Bertrand finished 2007 with a 30-11 singles record and was a Second Team All-SEC performer.
Vanderbilt also placed two doubles teams in the preseason poll. The tandem of Taylor and junior Courtney Ulery enter the doubles poll at No. 21. Last season, Taylor earned ITA All-American honors for her performance in doubles with former Commodore Amanda Fish. The tandem finished the season with a record of 25-13.
The team of Newman and Bertrand also find themselves in the doubles rankings, coming in at No. 58. The two teamed up last year and finished with a 25-10 overall record and a 9-2 record in SEC dual matches.
The Commodores open up the fall portion of their schedule Sept. 28-30 at the Furman Fall Classic in Greenville, S.C.
