NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Senior Jackie Wu clinched the 7-0 win over Kentucky on Saturday in the Commodores’ final regular season match.
“Today was a rather emotional day for me because Senior Day kind of just snuck up on me,” said Wu. “Coaches told me my freshman year that times flies when you’re doing school and playing tennis at the same time, but I never believed them until now.”
“From the friendships that I’ve made and the countless lessons I have learned, I feel blessed to have been able to represent Vanderbilt for the past four years,” continued Wu. “I could not have asked for a better team to host such a fantastic Senior Day; being able to clinch today’s match against Kentucky was just the cherry on top to such a great ride.”
The Dores jumped out ahead in the doubles matches as Ashleigh Antal and Marie Casares beat Khristina Blajkevitch 8-2. Wu and Lauren Mira clinched the point with an 8-3 win over Jessica Stiles and Caitlin McGraw for the 1-0 lead headed into singles.
In typical style, freshman Antal leaped out to put the Dores up 2-0 with a swift 6-3, 6-0 win over Stephanie Fox. Mira made it 3-0, beating Blajkevitch 6-2, 6-1 to set the match up for Wu to clinch.
Wu did just that, beating Stiles 6-2, 6-1 in her final regular season home match for the Dores. The win gives Wu a 23-14 overall finish to the season headed into the tournaments, and a 13-9 spring record.
“It was fitting that Jackie would clinch the match today,” said Head Coach Geoff Macdonald. “We’re really proud of how she’s developed over her time here, and she’s been such an important part of this team. She’ll be missed.”
Radeva and Casares each won their matches to make it 6-0 Dores. Radeva came back in her second set after falling behind to win it 7-5, while Casares, after a 7-1 tiebreak point in the first set, swept the second set 6-0 for her win.
Megan Gornet defeated her opponent, Misha Testerman, 7-6, 6-3 to complete the sweep.
“We’ve had our bumps in the road this season,” said Wu, “but I think that the team this year has handled it tremendously well. We’ve worked hard on the court and in the weight room, and I think that it shows when we go out there to play matches. I think that we’re a team that has gotten better over the season, learning from both our wins and losses, and I am excited to head to the SEC tournament in Oxford this coming weekend.
With the win, the Commodores finish the regular season 15-8 (7-4). They head to the SEC tournament in Oxford, Miss. next weekend.
