Oct. 4, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As half the Vanderbilt women’s tennis team returns from California, the other half leaves this weekend (Oct. 5-7) for the Roberta Alison Fall Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Included in this year’s field are Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Middle Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Samford and UAB along with the Commodores. Of the 15 teams participating in the tournament, six of them finished in the top 25 nationally and eight in the top 50 last season.
Head coach Geoff Macdonald said this weekend will be a good measuring stick as to where the team is.
“We will find out what we are good at and what we need to work on,” Macdonald said.
Senior Megan Gornet and the four newcomers (Frances Altick, Courtney Colton, Maggie Leavell and Georgina Sellyn) will all get their first action of the fall season.
For Altick, Colton, Leavell and Sellyn this will be their first collegiate experience.
“I’m really excited for the freshmen because it is their first tournament,” Macdonald said. “They’ve been working extremely hard. We think they are a great group. Excited to see how they make the transition to college in this first tournament.”
Fresh off the ITA All-American, Ashleigh Antal, Marie Casares and Lauren Mira will not be competing in the Roberta Alison Fall Classic due to the quick turnaround.
Match play is slated to begin on Friday at 9 a.m. CT with the first round of doubles followed immediately by the first round of singles. The second round of singles will be played after breaking for lunch. Saturday will also begin at 9 a.m. with the final two rounds of doubles and the last round of singles following a lunch break.
