NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores earned their first victory of the 2016 NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon, sweeping Southern Illionis University Edwardsville 4-0 at the Currey Tennis Center.
Before the Commodores could kick-off their 22nd appearance in the NCAA tournament, seniors Frances Altick, Maggie Leavell, Ellie Yates and redshirt junior Georgina Sellyn walked across the stage in their caps and gowns for graduation. Courtney Colton will receive her degree on May 17th at VU’s alternate graduation for student-athletes.
“We had four seniors graduate, take a little break and then come out and compete,” said head coach Geoff Macdonald. “It was a great afternoon, we really appreciated and loved the crowd. SIU Edwardsville, I thought they competed with great heart in their first Division I NCAA appearance. Just getting to the tournament is a super achievement.”
“In the earlier match, Rice upset Clemson and they looked fantastic. We’re going to have a heck of a regional final tomorrow.”
Much like the beginning of last season’s regional, the Commodores’ sweep came after the third-seeded Rice Owls upset the second-seeded Clemson Tigers, 4-1. With last year’s two 4-0 regional wins the ‘Dores have not dropped a single regional match since the squad’s 4-2 second round win over Georgia Tech on May 10, 2014.
VU raced off to take the early lead on courts two and three in doubles play. The first Vanderbilt victory of the competition came on court two as Altick and Astra Sharma only allowed one game in their 6-1 victory. Vandy clinched the doubles point on court three with a 6-2 win by Sellyn and Fernanda Contreras.
In singles action, VU’s strong singles lineup picked up three victories in a row to clinch the match, all in straight sets. Sellyn was first off the court on graduation Friday with a clean and decisive 6-1, 6-0 victory over SIUE’s Thomas. Contreras followed the Scots lead, giving the black and gold a 3-0 lead after generating 6-1, 6-2 victory on court five.
The ‘Dore’s final triumph came on court two as Altick registered her 105th Vanderbilt victory and third clinch of the season in a 6-0, 6-2 win over the Cougar’s Mia Frogner.
Vandy takes on Rice Saturday, May 14th, at 1:00 pm for the regional final winner earns a trip to the final NCAA host site, Tulsa, Okla., and a spot in the sweet 16.
