University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
Vanderbilt (SEC Tournament Semifinals)
Georgia Tops Vandy, Clinches Berth in SEC Championship
April 19, 2014 | Women's Tennis
Highlights of Georgia women's tennis match against Vanderbilt in the SEC Championships.
April 19, 2014
COLUMBIA, Mo.--The No. 6 Georgia women's tennis team secured a berth in the SEC Tournament Championship with a 4-1 win over No. 11 Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon at the Mizzou Tennis Center.
Georgia will be making its third consecutive appearance in the SEC championship final and its 17th overall.
"It's always fun to have the opportunity to play a team (Vanderbilt) that beat you earlier in the year," said head coach Jeff Wallace. "To get them here on a neutral court, I thought our players played really well. We got that first doubles point and then carried it into singles. After falling behind, Silvia fought back and really played some fantastic tennis. Maho played great and it was fantastic for Lilly to clinch the match for us. Everybody else battled and was fighting hard. We are back in the finals tomorrow and we're excited about the opportunity."
In doubles, the country's No. 2 duo of Lauren Herring and Maho Kowase won a tight match to clinch the Bulldogs' 19th doubles point of the season, beating No. 30 Lauren Mira and Courtney Colton, 8-3. Georgia's top duo broke the Commodores' serve when leading 4-3, and proceeded to win five straight games to give the Bulldogs an early lead. Kate Fuller and Silvia Garcia got things started in doubles with an 8-1 win over No. 32 Ashleigh Antal and Sydney Campbell. Caroline Brinson and Lilly Kimebll fell 8-2 to No. 85 Marie Casares and Frances Altick.
In singles, No. 17 Garcia started the scoring with a 6-4, 6-0 win over No. 54 Frances Altick. The Madrid, Spain native won the last 11 games of the match. Shortly after, No. 18 Kowase gave the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead as she notched a 7-5, 6-2 win over No. 98 Casares.
The Commodores got on the board when Antal outlasted Fuller 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, but that's as close as Vanderbilt would get as No. 83 Kimbell battled to beat No. 80 Colton 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. It's the second match that Kimbell has clinched this spring.
Saturday's win gave Georgia its 23rd 20-win season in program history.
The Bulldogs, who are seeking their seventh SEC Tournament title and first since 2009, will play either No. 8 Texas A&M and No. 3 Alabama in Sunday's final, which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET. The live chat will begin shortly before first serve. Live scoring and video is also available via Georgiadogs.com.
Georgia def. Vanderbilt, 4-1
Doubles
1. #2 Lauren Herring/Maho Kowase (UGA) vs. #30 Lauren Mira/Courtney Colton (VU), 8-3
2. #27 Silvia Garcia/Kate Fuller (UGA) vs. #32 Ashleigh Antal/Sydney Campbell (VU), 8-1
3. #85 Marie Casares/Frances Altick (VU) def. Caroline Brinson/Lilly Kimbell (UGA), 8-2
Singles
1. #7 Lauren Herring (UGA) vs. #71 Sydney Campbell (VU), 7-6(4), 5-5, unfinished
2. #17 Silvia Garcia (UGA) def. #54 Frances Altick (VU), 6-4, 6-0
3. #18 Maho Kowase (UGA) def. #98 Marie Casares (VU), 7-5, 6-2
4. #83 Lilly Kimbell (UGA) def. #80 Courtney Colton, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1
5. Ashleigh Antal (VU) def. Kate Fuller (UGA), 6-3, 2-6, 6-4
6. Mia King (UGA) vs. Lauren Mira (VU), 6-4, 4-6, 2-2, unfinished
Order of Finish: Doubles (3, 2, 1); Singles (2, 3, 5, 4)
