NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The third-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team clinched its fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16 on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 38 Clemson, 4-1, in the Regional Championship.
The Commodores previously advanced to the Round of 32 following a 4-0 victory over the SIU Edwardsville Cougars on Friday.
Vandy will make the short venture to Athens, Ga. for the reminder of the NCAA Tournament, facing the winner of the Cal NCAA Regional (Cal or LSU) on Friday at 3 p.m. CT in the program’s 17th Sweet 16 appearance.
Saturday’s matchup began with close doubles play on courts one and three. The sophomore/freshman duo of Fernanda Contreras and Christina Rosca earned VU its first win of the competition, defeating Daniela Ruiz and Fernanda Navarro, 6-1.
Clemson then leveled the opportunity, taking four straight deuce points on court one for a 6-0 victory over Astra Sharma and Emily Smith. With doubles point hanging in the balance, attention turned to court two as Emma Kurtz aced Constanza Gorches and Sydney Riley to force what turned to be a close tiebreaker. Vanderbilt took the 5-3 advantage in the tiebreaker, however the resilient Tigers battled back. Kurtz and Sydney Campbell walked away with victory, 7-6(5).
Commodores clinch the doubles point 7-6(5) on court two! #FightDores pic.twitter.com/ZUSOsYqHdf
— Vandy Women’s Tennis (@Vandywtennis) May 13, 2017
In singles, teams split sets with Vandy taking set advantages on courts one, four and six.
No. 87 Contreras earned the black and gold its second point of the outing, only allowing junior Daniela Ruiz two games in her 6-2, 6-0 victory on court six. Clemson’s lone point on the day came on court three as Navarro defeated No. 102 Rosca, 6-2, 6-1.
Kurtz breezed through her first set against the Tiger’s Sydney Riley, 6-2, however the Clemson freshman had other plans as she took a 5-2 advantage on court four in the second set. Kurtz battled back into the match, taking five straight games and the 3-1 advantage, 6-2, 7-5.
No. 4 Sharma delivered the final blow, clinching her fifth NCAA tournament match in a 7-5, 6-1 victory over No. 121 Marie Leduc. Seniors Georgina Sellyn and Sydney Campbell were battling opponents on courts five and two at the match’s conclusion.
Sharma clinches the Dores place in the Sweet 16 with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Leduc! #FightDores #NCAATennis pic.twitter.com/DPVG7D6DA8
— Vandy Women’s Tennis (@Vandywtennis) May 13, 2017
