Women's Tennis Eases by No. 24-Ranked South Carolina, 7-0 3/14/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The No. 10-ranked Vanderbilt women's tennis team picked up its third-consecutive Southeastern Conference win on Friday, as it defeated No. 24-ranked South Carolina, 7-0, at the Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center. The Commodores have now defeated the Gamecocks five straight times. With the win, Vanderbilt moves to 12-3 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, while South Carolina falls to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

Vanderbilt notched its 14th doubles point in 15 matches this season, as it swept all three matches. The fourth-ranked team of senior Sarah Riske and junior Aleke Tsoubanos picked up their 22 doubles win of the year, as they defeated Kathy Boyanovich and Magda Wojdylo, 8-3. Vanderbilt's No. 1 doubles team is now 13-2 in dual matches.

Freshman Ashley Schellhas and sophomore Annie Menees continued their strong play at No. 3 doubles, as they clinched the point for the Commodores with a win over Catherine Brown and Audrey George, 8-2. The No. 57-ranked team of junior Kelly Schmandt and sophomore Audra Falk wrapped things up, as they defeated Jodi Kenoyer and Daniell Wiggins, 8-5.

The Commodores had a much more difficult time in singles, as three of the matches were pushed to a third set. One match that wasn't was Riske's match-up with Boyanovich at the No. 1 spot. Vanderbilt's only senior claimed her 12th dual-match win of the season, as she won in straight sets, 7-6, 6-0.

Falk and junior Kori Scott also won their matches in straight sets at the No. 3 and No. 6 positions, respectively. Falk defeated Wiggins handily, 6-1, 6-3, for her 13th dual-match victory of the year. Falk is now 18-2 for the 2002-03 season. Scott, who was placed in the singles lineup after Schmandt was taken out due to an injury, played strong tennis en route to a 6-3, 6-2 win over Justine Walsh.

Tsoubanos, Schellhas and Menees were all pushed to a third set at the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 5 positions. Tsoubanos battled back from one set down to defeat Kenoyer, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4. Schellhas and Menees both had to win their matches in a third set 10-point super tiebreaker. Schellhas defeated Wojdylo, 7-5, 6-7, 10-6, while Menees defeated Brown, 6-4, 4-6, 10-3. Schellhas and Menees will both head into the Florida match with five-match winning streaks.

The Commodores will take the court again at 12 p.m. Sunday for their showdown with No. 1-ranked Florida at the Currey Tennis Center. Admission for the match is free.

Singles

Doubles