STANFORD, Calif. – The No. 11 Commodore’s took a hard loss to conclude their West Coast swing, just getting edged by No. 10 Stanford; 4-3. The Vandy team got back on track in doubles play, taking the point from the Cardinal with wins on courts two and three.
“A very tough loss, but an absolutely great match,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “I applaud the courage of our team and Stanford as well. I’m still very optimistic and enthused about our prospects for the future. I just love our spirit and our fight, and we’re going to break through. I am very proud of how we competed.”
The Commodores rallied together in doubles, fighting hard in every game against the Cardinal. The tandem of Ashleigh Antal and Astra Sharma came out victorious, defeating No. 12 Caroline Doyle and Ellen Tsay; 8-6.
No. 18 Sydney Campbell and Courtney Colton were competing hard for the black and gold on court one, but came up just short against the No. 5 team of Carol Zhao and Taylor Davidson; 8-7(0).
Frances Altick and Marie Casares clinched the doubles point for Vanderbilt with another intense 8-6 win over Stanford’s Hardebeck and Kostas.
Following doubles, Antal earned the second point for Vandy as she surged past Lindsey Kostas 6-1 in the first set. The Commodore senior led the second set 3-2 when her opponent retired.
Following the two VU match points, Stanford responded with three consecutive wins of their own to take a 3-2 advantage. Astra Shama tied the match at 3-all with a 6-4, 6-3 win over No. 92 Krista Hardebeck.
With the match now tied, No. 89 Altick squared off against No. 14 Davidson on court three for the match. Altick fought hard the entire match for the ‘Dores, but came out just shy falling 5-7, 6-4, 7-5.
The Commodores return to West End as they play host to No. 23 Northwestern Saturday at Noon, and No. 6 Baylor Sunday at 1 p.m.
No. 10 Stanford 4, No. 11 Vanderbilt 3
DOUBLES
1) No. 5 Davidson/Zhao (STAN) d. No. 18 Campbell/Colton (VANDY) 8-7 (0)
2) Antal/Sharma (VANDY) d. No. 12 Doyle/Tsay (STAN) 8-6
3) Altick/Casares (VANDY) d. Hardebeck/Kostas (STAN) 8-6
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3
SINGLES
1) No. 10 Carol Zhao (STAN) d. No. 15 Sydney Campbell (VANDY) 7-5, 6-1
2) No. 16 Caroline Doyle (STAN) d. No. 71 Courtney Colton (VANDY) 6-2, 7-5
3) No. 14 Taylor Davidson (STAN) d. No. 89 Frances Altick (VANDY) 5-7, 6-4, 7-5
4) Astra Sharma (VANDY) d. No. 92 Krista Hardebeck (STAN) 6-4, 6-3
5) Ellen Tsay (STAN) d. No. 62 Marie Casares (VANDY) 6-3, 6-2
6) Ashleigh Antal (VANDY) d. Lindsey Kostas (STAN) 6-1, 3-2, ret.
Order of Finish: 6, 5, 1, 2, 4, 3
