In their first team scoring event of the season, Vanderbilt's women’s tennis team faced off against Southern Methodist University (SMU) on January 20. Despite initial challenges in doubles play, the Commodores showcased remarkable resilience and dominated singles matches to secure a convincing 5-2 victory. The match, originally planned as a doubleheader at home, was shortened due to adverse weather conditions, leading to the postponement of the scheduled game against Western Kentucky.

Overcoming Early Struggles in Doubles

The Commodores encountered difficulties early on in the doubles segment. SMU's duo of Drew Morris and Arianna Stavropoulos swiftly secured a win against Sonya Macavei and Trinetra Vijayakumar with a score of 6-2. This momentum continued as Valeria Ray and Bridget Stammel fell short against Sophie Llewellyn and Ellie Pittman, losing 3-6. These losses handed the doubles point to SMU. However, the No. 11 ranked Vanderbilt pair of Célia-Belle Mohr and Sophia Webster managed to prevent a complete sweep by defeating June Björk and Caroline McGinley 6-2, injecting much-needed positivity into the Commodores' performance.

The opening struggles in doubles were significant for the Commodores. Losing two consecutive matches put them behind early, but the resilient effort from Mohr and Webster provided a crucial turning point. Their victory not only halted SMU's momentum but also set the stage for a strong comeback in the singles matches. This pivotal moment demonstrated the team's ability to adapt under pressure and maintain composure despite initial setbacks.

Commodores Surge Ahead in Singles Play

Shifting gears into singles, the Commodores mounted an impressive comeback. Freshman Trinetra Vijayakumar led the charge, overcoming Sophie Llewellyn with scores of 6-3, 6-0, marking the team's first point of the match. Sonya Macavei followed suit, securing a decisive 6-2, 6-2 win over June Björk, pushing Vanderbilt ahead 2-1. Bridget Stammel, ranked No. 26, faced formidable opposition from Ellie Pittman but emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

The match-clinching point came courtesy of No. 78 Valeria Ray, who battled back from a first-set defeat to clinch a hard-fought 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory. Similarly, Célia-Belle Mohr staged a remarkable comeback, rebounding from a 4-6 loss in the first set to ultimately prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 against Drew Morris. SMU managed to secure one singles point through Millie Skelton, who narrowly edged out freshman Sophia Webster 6-2, 2-6, 10-8. With this win, Vanderbilt sets its sights on the ITA Kickoff Weekend, where they will face UC Santa Barbara on January 25 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.