ROME, Ga. — Vanderbilt women’s tennis is set for a Sunday playoff matchup in both the ITA Sectional Championships, hosted by Georgia, and the ITA Conference Masters Championships, hosted by Berry College.
The Dores began Saturday play in the doubles semifinals at the sectional. The No. 64 ranked doubles pair of junior Bridget Stammel and freshman Valeria Ray matched up against Georgia Tech’s Alejandra Cruz and Given Roach. The Yellow Jackets spared no time jumping out to an early lead and did not relinquish the advantage throughout the match. Stammel and Ray had no answer, falling 6-2, 6-3 to the Georgia Tech duo.
In singles, Ray’s loss yesterday moved the sophomore into a playoff semifinal with an NCAA Singles Championships qualifying spot on the line. The Dore took on Ole Miss’ Emma Kette, having already defeated the Rebel once in doubles this event. Ray repeated the result, downing Kette 6-3, 6-3 to punch her ticket to Waco. She will join teammates Stammel and senior Célia-Belle Mohr in the singles draw.
The No. 29 ranked Mohr and freshman Sophia Webster returned to yet another doubles semifinal, facing Abby Nugent and Clara Owen of Xavier at the ITA Conference Masters Championship. The two advanced to the All-Americans doubles semifinals in September before falling just short to Cal 6-2, 6-2. The opening of the match looked to be setting up a different result as Mohr and Webster cruised to a 6-2 first set victory. However, the Musketeers returned the favor in the second, downing the Dores 6-2. In the third set tiebreaker, Xavier took full control. Nugent and Owen pulled away to clinch the match with a 10-4 victory in the final frame.
Tomorrow’s matches will serve as an NCAA Championships qualifying opportunity for both of Vanderbilt’s competing doubles teams. Stammel and Ray are set to face more Rebels in the sectional, taking on Ole Miss’ Anaelle Leclercq-Ficher and Ludmila Kareisova at 10 a.m. CT. Mohr and Webster’s Conference Masters playoff match is set for a 9 a.m. start time against Madelyn Ferreros and Irene Riva of Sacramento State. The updated ITA Sectional Championships and Conference Masters Championships tournament pages are available online.
Results:
SINGLES
Ray (Vanderbilt) def. Kette (Ole Miss) 6-3, 6-3
DOUBLES
Cruz/Roach (Georgia Tech) def. No. 64 Stammel/Ray (Vanderbilt)
Nugent/Owen (Xavier) def. No. 29 Mohr/Webster (Vanderbilt)