ATHENS, Ga. — Vanderbilt women’s tennis put together a perfect opening day at the ITA Sectional Championships hosted by Georgia, winning all three of the day’s matches in straight sets.
The No. 64 ranked doubles pair of junior Bridget Stammel and sophomore Valeria Ray opened the action for the Dores. The two matched up against Tulane’s Summer Chandler and Micah Pierce, wasting no time in jumping out to an early set advantage. The Dore duo did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the match en route to a 6-3, 6-2 victory, advancing to Friday’s round of 16.
Ray continued the momentum in singles play. The sophomore battled in two conference matchups, the first against Rachel Krzyzak of Ole Miss. Ray downed the Rebel 6-1, 6-4 before moving on to another SEC singles contest against Kentucky’s Julia Zhu. The Wildcat could not overcome Ray, and the Dore advanced with a 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Friday is set to begin with doubles play at 9 a.m. CT, with Stammel and Ray taking on the winner of Georgia’s Sarah Branicki and Haley Gaudette and Ole Miss’ Emma Kette and Rachel Krzyzak. Ray’s singles match will follow afterwards as the Dore faces yet another conference foe in Georgia’s No. 75 ranked Guillermina Grant, who is also the event’s No. 1 singles seed. The updated tournament page is online.
Results:
SINGLES
Ray (Vanderbilt) def. Krzyzak (Ole Miss) 6-1, 6-4
Ray (Vanderbilt) def. Zhu (Kentucky) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
DOUBLES
No. 64 Stammel/Ray (Vanderbilt) def. Chandler/Pierce (Tulane) 6-3, 6-2