University of Missouri
(#4) Vanderbilt
No. 4 Vanderbilt Outlasts @MizzouTennis, 4-1
3/9/2018 6:40:00 PM | Tennis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Mizzou Tennis team put up a good fight against the defending SEC champions, but No. 4 Vanderbilt prevailed in a 4-1 decision Friday afternoon at the Mizzou Tennis Complex.
The Tigers (11-5, 0-2) picked up wins in the first two doubles matches to win the doubles point. Freshman Marta Oliveira (Lisbon, Portugal) and senior Clare Raley (Atlanta, Ga.) posted a 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles. Moments later, the No. 2 duo of senior Amina Ismail (Maineville, Ohio) and sophomore Serena Nash (Bradford, England) clinched the doubles point for the Tigers with a 6-4 win. For good measure, the No. 3 team of sophomore Mackenzy Middlebrooks (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and freshman Ellie Wright (Gainesville, Fla.) were on their way to their own win when the clinched point ended their match with a 5-3 lead.
Vanderbilt featured nationally ranked players at the first three positions, and the Commodores (10-2, 3-0) swept the first set in each match. But the Tigers were in contention throughout the lineup, and freshman Taylor Gruber (Spicewood, Texas) forced a deciding third set at No. 4.
Middlebrooks' 18-match singles winning streak came to an end with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-2 loss to No. 27 Christina Rosca.
"I was proud of the energy and effort the girls brought tonight against a good Vanderbit team," said Head Coach Colt Gaston. We made some adjustments in doubles, and I think that really paid off for us today. We got off to a rough start in singles during the first set, but I was extremely proud of the fight and grit the team showed to stay in matches, and give ourselves some opportunities. Unfortunately, it didn't go our way today, but we have a lot to build off of going into Sunday."
UP NEXT
The Tigers wrap up their 10-match homestand on Sunday with an 11 a.m. match vs. No. 17 Kentucky. For all the latest on Mizzou Tennis, stay tuned to mutigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
#4 Vanderbilt 4, Mizzou 1
DOUBLES (order of finish: 1, 2)
Marta Oliveira/Clare Raley (MIZ) def. Emma Kurtz/Emily Smith (VU), 6-3
Amina Ismail/Serena Nash (MIZ) def. Christina Rosca/Amanda Meyer (VU), 6-4
Mackenzy Middlebrooks/Ellie Wright (MIZ) vs. Fernanda Contreras/Summer Dvorak (VU), 5-3, suspended
SINGLES (order of finish: 1, 3, 5, 2)
#5 Fernanda Contreras (VU) def. Serena Nash (MIZ), 6-1, 6-1
#27 Christina Rosca (VU) def. Mackenzy Middlebrooks (MIZ), 6-4, 6-2
#98 Amanda Meyer (VU) def. Ellie Wright (MIZ), 6-0, 6-3
Taylor Gruber (MIZ) vs. Emma Kurtz (VU), 2-6, 6-4, 3-1, suspended
Summer Dvorak (VU) def. Amina Ismail (MIZ), 6-3, 7-6 (0)
Emily Smith (VU) vs. Clare Raley (MIZ), 7-5, 5-4, suspended
Players Mentioned
