NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team fell to Arizona State 4-3 in the championship match of the ITA Kick-Off on Saturday at the Currey Tennis Center.
“Today’s match was an incredible college tennis match. I’m really pleased with the heart of the Vanderbilt team,” Vanderbilt head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “I thought both teams played really tough, it’s a shame someone had to lose.”
Vanderbilt struck first in doubles play to claim the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and 3 doubles.
Senior Emma Kurtz and freshman Anna Ross secured the Dores’ first doubles victory with a 6-1 win over Cali Jankowski and Savannah Slaysman followed by tandem Dasha Kourkina and Amanda Meyer clinching the doubles point with a 6-4 win at No. 3.
In singles, the Sun Devils bounced back by earning a straight set win over Ross at No. 4 to tie the match, 1-1.
The Commodores retook the lead with Kurtz dominating on court 3 to down Tereza Kolarova 6-4, 7-5 to advance the Dores lead to 2-1 over the Sun Devils.
Arizona State quickly responded to collect two singles wins over the Dores.
Sophomore Georgia Drummy fell at No. 1 to Ilze Hattingh after a close battle 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 followed by Meyer slipping 3-6, 7-5, 7-5, to Jankowski to put the Sun Devils in the lead 3-2.
At No. 2, senior Christina Rosca stepped up to tie the match by outlasting Sammi Hampton 7-6, 6-7, 7-5.
With the match on the line, Kourkina fought hard against Slaysman to take the first set 6-3.
In the second set, Slaysman bounced back to force a third with a 6-0 win. In the final set, Kourkina came up short to Slaysman 7-6 (4).
“It’s too bad that we won’t be going to Indoors now but I am really encouraged by what I think this team can become,” Macdonald said.
The Commodores will return to action Jan. 31 to take on Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois.
Keep up with the Dores as they prepare by following @VandyWTennis on Twitter and Instagram.
