Women's Tennis Falls to Tennessee in SEC Tourney Quarterfinals, 4-1 4/18/03
Falk pulls out only singles' point for 'Dores

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The 12th-ranked Vanderbilt women's tennis team's run at its first Southeastern Conference Tournament title came to an end on Friday evening, as the Commodores fell to eighth-ranked Tennessee, 4-1, in front a rowdy crowd at the UT Varsity Courts.

Tennessee jumped on the board first by clinching the doubles' point. Tennessee's Tammy Encina and Majen Immink defeated junior Kelly Schmandt and Audra Falk, 8-3, to give the Lady Volunteers the critical point.

Vanderbilt's only doubles' win came the the No. 1 position, as the fourth-ranked team of senior Sarah Riske and junior Aleke Tsoubanos avenged an earlier season loss to Vilmarie Castellvi and Melissa Schaub, as they won, 8-4 on the nation's fifth best team. Riske and Tsoubanos are now 28-5 on the season and 19-4 in dual matches.

For Riske, it was her 105th career doubles' win, which ties her with 2002 Vanderbilt graduate Kate Burson for the most career doubles' wins.

The Commodores only point of the afternoon came from Falk at the No. 4 position, as she defeated Schaub in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. With the win, Falk improves to 22-4 overall and 16-4 in dual matches for the year.

The Lady Volunteers clinched the match when Encina defeated Tsoubanos at the No. 2 position, 6-1, 7-6 (5). Tsoubanos fell behind 6-1, 3-1 to Encina; however, she showed a lot of heart, as she fought back to force the set to tiebreaker, which she eventually lost.

The Commodores will now take a little time off as final exams are about to begin, but will continue to practice on an individual basis in preparation for the NCAA Tournament, which begins on May 9. First and second round locations have not been determined.

Singles

Doubles