University of Georgia Athletics
Sunday, March 25
Nashville, TN
2 p.m.
University of Georgia
1
at
4
Vanderbilt
Bulldogs and Rain Fall in Nashville, 4-1
March 25, 2018 | Women's Tennis
Bulldogs and Rain Fall in Nashville, 4-1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Gloomy weather, and rain that forced play inside, portrayed the 4-1 loss for No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs against a tough third-ranked Vanderbilt team Sunday afternoon at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center.
For the first time in Southeastern Conference play this season, the Bulldogs (10-4, 5-2 SEC) dropped the doubles point, ending a streak of six matches in a row. In all, it is only the second time in Georgia's 14 dual matches that it hasn't obtained the doubles point.
Ultimately, the Commodores (14-3, 7-1 SEC) seized momentum by taking five first sets in singles, however it was a highly contested early going. Two tiebreakers on courts four and six, along with a 7-5 win on court three went Vanderbilt's way, swaying the edge that stayed constant.
"It was a good doubles point," Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace said. "I felt like we had a lot of opportunities, but just didn't capitalized. There were some 3-all games, but we barely lost a few close points. Vanderbilt played well. In singles, there were so many close first sets. There were 6-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 first sets, so it was high-level tennis and really tight. Mariana (Gould) picked up a win and played really well. She had a strong second set."
Mariana Gould, of Boise, Idaho, represented Georgia's sole point as the senior took down Emma Kurtz, 6-3, 6-2, on court five. The win cut Georgia's deficit to 2-1, however the Bulldogs could not complete the comeback on the other courts.
"I thought we took a step in the right direction," Wallace added. "We were competing at a high level, and kept pushing. We had a little delay with the rain and once we found out it was going to stay, we made the decision to move inside. It would have been nice to stay outside, but it was not a big deal as all teams at this time have practiced inside and outside."
At the time of clinch, Morgan Coppoc on court six was on the verge of taking the second set to force a third-set. Making her return to the lineup after an illness, Marta Gonzalez dropped her first set, but knotted it up at 4-all in the second set to challenge a possible third set.
In doubles, court three finished first as Vanderbilt's Emily Smith and Emma Kurtz defeated ninth-ranked Katarina Jokic and Mariana Gould, 6-3. The loss marks just the second for Jokic/Gould in dual season, dropping to 11-2, while still holding a team-best 23-5 overall record.
Georgia's 11th-ranked duo of Elena Christofi and Morgan Coppoc moved ahead 5-4 on court one, but the Commodores clinched on the final court to seal the doubles point. Amanda Meyer and Christina Rosca beat Kennedy Shaffer and Annette Goulak, 6-3, snapping the Georgia duo's five-match win streak and handing them their first SEC loss of the season.
The Commodores went up 2-0 when fifth-ranked Fernanda Contreras defeated No. 45 Kennedy Shaffer, 6-1, 6-3 on court two. Gould cut the Commodore lead to 2-1, then the rain forced a suspension and move into the indoor courts. Shortly after the restart, Jokic and Christofi dropped their matches, giving Vanderbilt the 4-1 win.
The Bulldogs play host to both Alabama conference affiliates next weekend at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. A Thursday, 6 p.m., match with the Crimson Tide kicks it off, followed by a Saturday noon meeting with the Tigers.
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Tennis Match Results
Georgia vs Vanderbilt
Mar 25, 2018 at
#3 Vanderbilt 4, #9 Georgia 1
Singles
1. #14 Astra Sharma (VANDY) def. #6 Katarina Jokic (UGA) 6-4, 6-3
2. #5 Fernanda Contreras (VANDY) def. #45 Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) 6-1, 6-3
3. #39 Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Elena Christofi (UGA) 7-5, 6-4
4. #97 Amanda Meyer (VANDY) vs. #81 Marta Gonzalez (UGA) 7-6 (7-3), 4-4, unfinished
5. Mariana Gould (UGA) def. Emma Kurtz (VANDY) 6-3, 6-2
6. Summer Dvorak (VANDY) vs. #110 Morgan Coppoc (UGA) 7-6 (7-2), 3-5, unfinished
Doubles
1. #21 Fernanda Contreras/Astra Sharma (VANDY) vs. #11 Elena Christofi/Morgan Coppoc (UGA) 4-5, unfinished
2. Emily Smith/Emma Kurtz (VANDY) def. #9 Mariana Gould/Katarina Jokic (UGA) 6-3
3. Amanda Meyer/Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Kennedy Shaffer/Annette Goulak (UGA) 6-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (2,5,1,3)
For the first time in Southeastern Conference play this season, the Bulldogs (10-4, 5-2 SEC) dropped the doubles point, ending a streak of six matches in a row. In all, it is only the second time in Georgia's 14 dual matches that it hasn't obtained the doubles point.
Ultimately, the Commodores (14-3, 7-1 SEC) seized momentum by taking five first sets in singles, however it was a highly contested early going. Two tiebreakers on courts four and six, along with a 7-5 win on court three went Vanderbilt's way, swaying the edge that stayed constant.
"It was a good doubles point," Georgia head coach Jeff Wallace said. "I felt like we had a lot of opportunities, but just didn't capitalized. There were some 3-all games, but we barely lost a few close points. Vanderbilt played well. In singles, there were so many close first sets. There were 6-4, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 first sets, so it was high-level tennis and really tight. Mariana (Gould) picked up a win and played really well. She had a strong second set."
Mariana Gould, of Boise, Idaho, represented Georgia's sole point as the senior took down Emma Kurtz, 6-3, 6-2, on court five. The win cut Georgia's deficit to 2-1, however the Bulldogs could not complete the comeback on the other courts.
"I thought we took a step in the right direction," Wallace added. "We were competing at a high level, and kept pushing. We had a little delay with the rain and once we found out it was going to stay, we made the decision to move inside. It would have been nice to stay outside, but it was not a big deal as all teams at this time have practiced inside and outside."
At the time of clinch, Morgan Coppoc on court six was on the verge of taking the second set to force a third-set. Making her return to the lineup after an illness, Marta Gonzalez dropped her first set, but knotted it up at 4-all in the second set to challenge a possible third set.
In doubles, court three finished first as Vanderbilt's Emily Smith and Emma Kurtz defeated ninth-ranked Katarina Jokic and Mariana Gould, 6-3. The loss marks just the second for Jokic/Gould in dual season, dropping to 11-2, while still holding a team-best 23-5 overall record.
Georgia's 11th-ranked duo of Elena Christofi and Morgan Coppoc moved ahead 5-4 on court one, but the Commodores clinched on the final court to seal the doubles point. Amanda Meyer and Christina Rosca beat Kennedy Shaffer and Annette Goulak, 6-3, snapping the Georgia duo's five-match win streak and handing them their first SEC loss of the season.
The Commodores went up 2-0 when fifth-ranked Fernanda Contreras defeated No. 45 Kennedy Shaffer, 6-1, 6-3 on court two. Gould cut the Commodore lead to 2-1, then the rain forced a suspension and move into the indoor courts. Shortly after the restart, Jokic and Christofi dropped their matches, giving Vanderbilt the 4-1 win.
The Bulldogs play host to both Alabama conference affiliates next weekend at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. A Thursday, 6 p.m., match with the Crimson Tide kicks it off, followed by a Saturday noon meeting with the Tigers.
##
Tennis Match Results
Georgia vs Vanderbilt
Mar 25, 2018 at
#3 Vanderbilt 4, #9 Georgia 1
Singles
1. #14 Astra Sharma (VANDY) def. #6 Katarina Jokic (UGA) 6-4, 6-3
2. #5 Fernanda Contreras (VANDY) def. #45 Kennedy Shaffer (UGA) 6-1, 6-3
3. #39 Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Elena Christofi (UGA) 7-5, 6-4
4. #97 Amanda Meyer (VANDY) vs. #81 Marta Gonzalez (UGA) 7-6 (7-3), 4-4, unfinished
5. Mariana Gould (UGA) def. Emma Kurtz (VANDY) 6-3, 6-2
6. Summer Dvorak (VANDY) vs. #110 Morgan Coppoc (UGA) 7-6 (7-2), 3-5, unfinished
Doubles
1. #21 Fernanda Contreras/Astra Sharma (VANDY) vs. #11 Elena Christofi/Morgan Coppoc (UGA) 4-5, unfinished
2. Emily Smith/Emma Kurtz (VANDY) def. #9 Mariana Gould/Katarina Jokic (UGA) 6-3
3. Amanda Meyer/Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Kennedy Shaffer/Annette Goulak (UGA) 6-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (2,5,1,3)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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