NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The second-ranked Vanderbilt women’s tennis team opened up the 2018 season and the ITA Kick-Off Weekend earning a 4-1 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The Commodores began the annual ITA Kick-Off Weekend in a 1-0 hole, as the squad fell on courts two and three in doubles play. No. 19 Emma Kurtz and Christina Rosca led the Husker’s Brianna Lashway and Paula Del Cueto Castillo in a tiebreaker, 6-6 (3-2) at the clinch.
Not allowing the doubles deficit define their performance, the Commodores rebounded in singles action to take five of six first sets. All three of VU’s ranked student-athletes contributed to the team overall victory.
Fourth-ranked Fernanda Contreras leveled Friday’s match, 1-all, with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory on court two over Claire Reifeis. Astra Sharma, No. 19 Christina Rosca and No. 96 Summer Dvorak closed out the match for the Commodore victory. Dvorak limited her Husker opponent, Hayley Haakenstad, three games in the Commodore’s singles dual match debut.
With the win, the Dores will face Florida State in tomorrow’s 1 p.m. CT ITA Kick-Off Regional Championship. The winners of the single-elimination event advance to next month’s ITA Division I National Team Indoor Championships.
The last time Vanderbilt faced Florida State was in the second round of the 2004 NCAA tournament. The Commodores Defeated the Noles in route to the team’s second NCAA semifinal appearance.
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Macdonald Minute:
“I give Nebraska a ton of credit for playing a really good doubles point,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “Doubles was super close. We had some chances, but dropped a few 3-all points. I was pleased with how we came out in singles. Everyone who played today went through last year, so everyone is used to rebounding. What you try to do, win or lose the doubles point, is transition into singles and not let any negatives follow you. Tomorrow will be a heck of a match against a strong Florida State team, and we look forward to competing.”
Commodore Notables:
- Vanderbilt begins the season ranked No. 2 in the nation
- The Commodores have hosted Kick-Off weekend for four-consecutive seasons
- Vandy has competed in the last five National Team Indoor Championships
- VU boasts three ranked singles players; No. 4 Fernanda Contreras, No. 19 Christina Rosca and • No. 96 Summer Dvorak
- Rivera ITA doubles semifinalists, Emma Kurtz and Rosca, rank 19th in doubles
- Dores return four of six singles players, losing Sydney Campbell and Georgina Sellyn
- The Commodores welcome two freshmen; Lauren Gish and Amanda Meyer
Noting the Noles:
- FSU advances to the Regional Championship, having defeated ACC foe Virginia, 4-1
- Vanderbilt defeated Florida State in their last competition, 4-1
- The Seminoles own a 2-1 2018 record
- FSU’s lone loss came in a 4-1 loss at Illinois
