CINCINNATI – The Vanderbilt women’s tennis team got off to a strong start at the Wilson/ITA Ohio Valley Regional as they went 3-0 in doubles and 1-0 in singles play during the first day of action.
The Commodores continued its strong play in doubles this fall, as all three of Vanderbilt’s teams won Thursday. The sophomore duo of Chelsea Preeg and Jackie Wu proved why they were awarded the tournaments No. 3 overall seed as it swept Miami’s (OH) pair of Sydnee Bridger and Laura Grace Mezher, 8-0 in the round of 32. With the win, the Vanderbilt duo advances to play Purdue’s team of Anna Dushkina and Remi Martin in Friday’s round of 16.
Erica Robertson and Heather Steinbauer won its fifth straight doubles match Thursday with an 8-5 decision over Indiana’s Evgeniya Vesteshva and Katya Zapadalova in the round of 32. The sophomore duo improved to 5-0 this season and will meet Purdue’s Kristen Magi and Bhayani Tirumurti in Friday’s round of 16.
The senior tandem of Hannah Blatt and Catherine Newman were also victorious in doubles Thursday as they took down Middle Tennessee’s duo of Taylor Coffey and Anna Djananova, 8-6. The Commodore pair will meet Purdue’s Jennifer Rabot and Michelle Sammons Friday’s round of 16.
VU’s Robertson was the lone Vanderbilt player to compete in singles during the first day of the regional and she came away with a straight set win over Gabi Duncan (Louisville), winning 6-1, 6-4.
Play will resume on Friday morning from the campus of University of Cincinnati.
Thursday October 22, 2009
Doubles Results (Round of 32)
Robertson / Steinbauer (VU) def. Verteshva / Zapadalova (Indiana) 8-5
Blatt / Newman (VU) def. Coffey / Djananova (MTSU) 8-6
Wu / Preeg (VU) def. Bridger / Mezher (Miami OH) 8-0
Singles Results (Qualifying Draw)
Erica Robertson (VU) def. Gabi Duncan (Louisville) 6-1, 6-4
