Women's Tennis Stuns Top-Ranked Florida, 4-3 3/16/03
Commodores defeat Gators for first time in program's history

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Like the old saying goes, 'All good things come to those who wait'. In the case of the Vanderbilt women's tennis team, it has been waiting since 1980 to defeat one of the most storied college women's tennis programs in the country. The waiting game finally ended, as the 10th-ranked Commodores stunned top-ranked Florida, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at the Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center. For Vanderbilt, it was its first win over Florida in 28 meetings.

With the win, the Commodores stay alive for a Southeastern Conference regular-season title, as they improve their overall record to 13-3 and their conference mark to 4-2. The visiting Gators fall to 14-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference.

In front of a highly energetic crowd, Vanderbilt was able to grab the early advantage by taking the critical doubles point. Junior Kelly Schmandt and sophomore Audra Falk picked up a huge win at the No. 2 position, as they defeated seventh-ranked Alexis Gordon and Julia Scaringe, 8-3. The Commodores locked up the doubles point at the No. 1 spot, as the fourth-ranked duo of senior Sarah Riske and junior Aleke Tsoubanos battled back to defeat Lindsay Dawah and Julie Rotondi, 9-7. Riske and Tsoubanos got behind late in the match, 7-5, but was able to win four-straight games to win the point. Riske and Tsoubanos are now 23-2 overall and 14-2 in dual matches.

In some outstanding singles action on both sides, Vanderbilt was able to win at the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 positions. Freshman Ashley Schellhas was the hero of the day, as she clinched the team victory at the No. 6 position with the team match tied at 3-3. Schellas scored the biggest win of her young college career, as she upset No. 55-ranked Jennifer Magley, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. She is now 12-2 in dual matches and 20-3 overall.

The 12th-ranked Riske also had a strong showing at the top position, as she scored a straight-set win over 37th-ranked Julia Scaringe, 6-2, 7-5. Riske was able to break Scaringe's serve once in both sets to solidify the victory. With the win, Riske improves her dual-match record to 13-3.

Tsoubanos gave head coach Geoff Macdonald his other singles victory, as she scored a straight-set upset over 22nd-ranked Julie Rotondi, 7-5, 6-4. After a tight first set, Tsoubanos jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead; however, Rotonidi stormed back to take a 4-3 lead. With the momentum of the match changing, Tsoubanos was able to string together three solid games to win the second set and the match.

The Commodores will now have a nice 12-day layoff before taking the court again. Vanderbilt will host SEC Western Division foe Louisiana State at 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Currey Tennis Center. Admission for the match is free.

Singles

* Schellhas' victory clinched win for 'Dores.
Doubles