Lady Vols Defeat Vanderbilt Under the Lights

Wednesday, March 28

Knoxville

University of Tennessee

Vanderbilt

March 28, 2001 | Women's Tennis

3/28/2001

Alison Ojeda and Crystal Cleveland KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Defending a No. 4 ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer tennis team earned a hard fought 4-3 victory over No. 6 Vanderbilt on Wednesday at the Varsity Courts.

"This is another great win for the team," said co-head coach Mike Patrick. "We fought so hard against a tough Vanderbilt team."

Vanderbilt entered the match with four singles players and two doubles teams ranked in the ITA's top 100. The team dropped from a No. 4 ranking in last week's ITA rankings to No. 6 after rain postponed their meeting with No. 5 Florida on Sunday.

Agnes Wiski and Brooke Cordell

In doubles play, the seventh ranked Commodore pair of Kate Burson and Julie Ditty got the better of No. 46 Vilmarie Castellvi and Kim Gates at No. 1. The match at No. 3 double would finish next as UT's Agnes Wiski and Brooke Cordell evened the score with an 8-4 decision over Kelly Schmandt and Jenny Miller. As the doubles point is awarded to the team that wins

Crystal Cleveland and Alison Ojeda

two out of the three matches, all eyes turned to the No. 2 match. Tennessee's Alison Ojeda and Crystal Cleveland trailed Aleke Tsoubanos and Sarah Riske, 7-5, before mounting an incredible comeback to take the match at 9-7.

"We really appreciate the crowd tonight," Patrick said. "I think the home fans really made a difference in our doubles wins."

Turning to singles play the Lady Vols needed to deliver three singles triumphs to take the conference tilt. Vanderbilt would strike first and even the score as Burson dealt Wiski a 6-2, 6-2 loss. Cleveland led the Orange back to the lead with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over No. 73 Tsoubanos at the No. 5 slot. Next, Cordell captured the No. 6 match, serving Schmandt 6-2, 6-2, setback.

Now up 3-1 in the match, the Lady Vols need only one victory to seal the victory. Gates dropped the No. 2 spot to No. 38 Sarah Riske, 6-3, 6-2, to make it 3-2. Then Castellvi cashed in at No. 3 singles to clinch the Tennessee triumph. Castellvi upset No. 53 Miller in a straight sets (6-3, 6-2). Ojeda took a set from No. 21 Julie Ditty, but eventually fell, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

The Lady Vols improve to 16-2 overall and 5-1 in league play. The Commodores fall to 15-2 overall, 5-1 in SEC action. No. 4 is the highest the Lady Vols have been ranked under the direction of Co-head coaches Mike Patrick and Sonia Hahn-Patrick.

Tennessee will play host to SEC rival Mississippi on Sunday. The Lady Rebels are currently ranked No. 31 in the ITA rankings. The match is set to begin at 1 p.m. on the Varsity Courts.

Wednesday's Results:Singles:1. # 21 Julie Ditty (VU) def #65 Alison Ojeda (UT)  3-6, 6-4, 6-42. # 38 Sarah Riske (VU) def Kim Gates (UT)         6-3, 6-23. Vilmarie Castellvi (UT) def # 52 Jenny Miller (VU)   6-3, 6-24. Kate Burson (VU) def Agnes Wiski (UT)        6-2, 6-25. Crystal Cleveland (UT) def # 73 Aleke Tsoubanos (VU) 7-5, 6-26. Brooke Cordell (UT) def Kelly Schmandt (VU)      6-2, 6-2Doubles:1. # 7 Burson/Ditty (VU) def # 45 Castellvi/Gates (UT)  8-62. Cleveland/Ojeda (UT) def # 19 Riske/Tsoubanos (VU)   9-73. Cordell/Wiski (UT) def Schmandt/Miller       8-4