OXFORD, Miss. – The 23rd-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team fell to 19th-ranked Ole Miss, 4-0, in the quarterfinals of the 2012 SEC Women’s Tennis Tournament.
The top Commodore doubles paring of Jackie Wu and Lauren Mira was giving the number four pairing in the country, Ole Miss’ Kristi Boxx and Abby Guthrie, all it could handle at number one doubles. They were tied at 5-5, but unfortunately for Vanderbilt, that is where that match would be abandoned.
At number three doubles, Megan Gornet and Nelly Radeva fell to Iris Verboven and Julia Jones, 8-1. Shortly after that, Ole Miss wrapped-up the doubles point when Gabby Rangel and Erin Stephens scored an 8-4 win over Ashleigh Antal and Marie Casares.
Singles did not go much better for the Commodores.
Vivian Vlaar gave Ole Miss a 2-0 lead, picking up a 6-0, 6-2 win over Gornet at number six singles. That was followed almost immediately by a 6-3, 6-1, win by the Rebels’ Abby Guthrie over Radeva at number five singles.
Ole Miss than clinched the win with a 6-4, 6-0 win at number three singles, where Stephens defeated Casares.
At the end of the match, Vanderbilt was competitive in the other three singles matches. At one, Wu had dropped the first set to Boxx, the number nine player in the country, 6-4, and was tied, 1-1, in the second set.
Antal and Jones had just started a third set at number four singles. Jones took the first set, 6-1, before Antal rebounded for a 6-3 win in the second and she was leading Jones, 1-0, in the third.
At number two singles, Mira was cruising against Caroline Rohde-Moe, who I ranked 82nd in the country. Mira won the first set, 6-0, and was leading the second, 4-1.
Vanderbilt now stands at 16-9 and will await their NCAA Tournament fate. With an ITA ranking of 23rd, the Commodores expect to receive their 18th consecutive NCAA bid.
Singles
1. #41 Jackie Wu (VU) vs. #9 Kristi Boxx (MISS) 4-6, 1-1 (abandoned)
2. #86 Lauren Mira (VU) vs. #82 Caroline Rohde-Moe (MISS) 6-0, 4-1 (abandoned)
3. Erin Stephens (MISS) def. Marie Casares (VU), 6-4, 6-0*
4. Ashleigh Antal (VU) vs. Julia Jones (MISS) 1-6, 6-3, 1-0 (abandoned)
5. Abby Guthrie (MISS) def. Nelly Radeva (VU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Vivian Vlaar (MISS) def. Megan Gornet (VU), 6-0, 6-2
*Clinched match
Doubles
1. #26 Jackie Wu/Lauren Mira (VU) #4 Kristi Boxx/Abby Guthrie (MISS), 5-5 (abandoned)
2. Gabby Rangel/Erin Stephens (MISS) def. Ashleigh Antal/Marie Casares (VU), 8-4*
3. Iris Verboven/Julia Jones (MISS) def. Megan Gornet/Nelly Radeva (VU), 8-1
*Clinched doubles point
Order of Finish
Singles: 6, 2, 3 (1, 4, 5 abandoned)
Doubles: 3, 2 (1 abandoned)
