May 21, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Vanderbilt’s Jackie Wu tried to become the first Vanderbilt freshman women’s tennis player to advance to the second round of the NCAA championship since Catherine Newman did it in 2007 but fell short as she fell to Georgia Tech’s defending national singles champion Amanda McDowell at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center Wednesday. 25th-ranked McDowell proved to be too much for the Vanderbilt freshman as she topped Wu in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
“I thought Jackie got a very good experience playing against the defending national champion in the first round of the NCAA Championships,” head coach Geoff Macdonald said. “Her opponent hits a very heavy ball and she was able to put Jackie into some tough spots on the court. We are looking forward to a very bright career from Jackie at Vanderbilt. She is one of only four freshman in school history to qualify for the singles championship, so that’s putting her in good company.”
The loss for Wu ends what was a storybook season for the Vanderbilt freshman. Wu finishes the season with a 26-11 singles record and was the only Commodore ranked in both singles and doubles this season. The Holmdel, N.J., native defeated nine ranked singles opponents during the 2008-09 season.
In doubles, Wu teamed up with fellow freshman Heather Steinbauer at the No. 1 doubles position. The freshman duo were ranked as high as No. 38 this season en route to knocking off four-nationally ranked doubles opponents.
Wu joins current WTA player Julie Ditty, Taka Bertrand and Catherine Newman as the only three Commodores in school history to play in the NCAA Division I singles championship as freshman.
Results
No. 25 Amanda McDowell (GT) def. No. 52 Jackie Wu (VU) 6-3, 6-2
