Nov. 5, 2006
Vanderbilt’s Jacqui Concolino and Chris Brady recorded wins, but Duke edged the Commodores, 3-2, to win its third title at the Collegiate Match Play Championships Sunday at the Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.
Duke also won the event in 2003 and 2004.
Concolino rallied from a four-hole deficit to hold off Duke’s Anna Grzebien 2 and 1. The sophomore from Orlando pulled even with only four holes remaining, then won each of the next two holes to secure the victory. Brady outlasted Duke’s Jennifer Pandolfi 2 and 1. The Vanderbilt senior took her first lead of the day on the 12th hole. Her lead grew to a two-hole advantage on No. 14.
However, second-seeded Duke defeated fourth-seeded Vanderbilt in the three other individual match play competitions to win the event. Blue Devil Amanda Blumenherst topped Vanderbilt junior Liebelei Lawrence 2 and 1. Jennie Lee pulled away late to defeat Commodore senior Kristen Svicarovich 3 and 2. Alison Whitaker won 7 and 6 against Vanderbilt junior Julie Bartholomew.
Vanderbilt, who entered the event ranked fifth in the nation according to Golf Week magazine, reached the final round after upsetting top-seed and top-ranked Georgia 3-2 on Saturday. The Commodores defeated 13th-seeded SMU (3-2) and 12th seeded LSU (3-1-1) in the tournament’s first two rounds on Friday.
Vanderbilt’s fall season ends with two medal play tournament wins — at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational and the Stanford Women’s Intercollegiate — and a second place finish at the Collegiate Match Play Championships.
The Commodores begin the spring season at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational, Feb. 26-27.
Collegiate Match Play Championships
Eagle Creek Golf Club
Orlando, Fla.
Championship Round Results
Nov. 5, 2006
(2) Duke def. (4) Vanderbilt, 3-2-0
Chris Brady, Vanderbilt def. Jennifer Pandolfi, Duke, 2 and 1
Amanda Blumenherst, Duke def. Liebelei Lawrence, Vanderbilt, 2 and 1
Jacqui Concolino, Vanderbilt def. Anna Grzebien, Duke, 2 and 1
Jennie Lee, Duke def. Kristen Svicarovich, Vanderbilt, 3 and 2
Alison Whitaker, Duke def. Julie Bartholomew, Vanderbilt, 7 and 6
Collegiate Match Play Final Standings
1st – Duke University
2nd – Vanderbilt University
3rd – University of Georgia
4th – Michigan State University
5th – Auburn University
6th – Louisiana State University
7th Tied – University of Arkansas
7th Tied – Florida State University
9th – University of Florida
10th – Wake Forest University
11th Tied – University of Alabama
11th Tied – Purdue University
13th Tied – Southern Methodist University
13th Tied – University of Arizona
13th Tied – University of Nebraska
13th Tied – University of South Carolina
