Women's Tennis Splits Weekend Matches, Falls To Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. The 27th-ranked Ole Miss women’s tennis team split its matches this weekend, falling to No. 19 Vanderbilt in close 5-2 encounter Sunday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center.  The Rebels (10-7, 3-5) defeated No. 20 Kentucky 5-2 on Friday in Lexington.

Just as they did last Sunday against South Carolina, the Rebels took the doubles point. They came into the match 9-2 when winning the first point.  But, Vanderbilt was able to win some close matches in singles to take the win.

“We lost a very close match today,” head coach Mark Beyers said.  “We had a great effort in doubles, but we weren’t able to win some tight three setters.  We are excited about returning home for our final three regular season matches.”

Ole Miss won the doubles point with wins on courts three and two in that order.  Laura van de Stroet and Mimi Renaudin teamed up for an 8-6 win at three against Courtney Ulery and Keilly Ulrey.   The freshman duo of Gabriela Rangel and Abigail Guthrie clinched the point when they finished off Catherine Newman and Chelsea Pregg 9-7 at No.2. 

Vanderbilt evened the match when Jackie Wu beat Karen Nijssen 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. Keilly Ulrey then finished off van de Stroet 6-3, 6-3 on court three to give the Commodores the lead. 

Preeg got by Rangel in a close 6-4, 7-5 match to make it 3-1, and then the Commodores clinched when Heather Steinbauer won a three-setter against Guthrie on court five.  Guthrie won the first set 6-2, and one break decided the second 7-5 to Steinbauer.  She won the third 6-2 to clinch the match for Vanderbilt.

At No. 1, Freshman Kristi Boxx, ranked No. 29 in the country, split sets with 62^nd-ranked Catherine Newman, winning a second-set tiebreaker after dropping the first set 7-5.  Boxx dominated the supertiebreaker in the third set 10-2 to improve to 6-2 in the SEC.

The No. 6 match went three sets too.  Renaudin lost the first set to Courtney Ulrey, but won the second 7-6(5). Ulrey won the third 6-3.

The Rebels return home to host LSU Friday at 3 p.m.  Fans will enjoy free chicken compliments of Bofields.

DOUBLES

1. Steinbauer/Wu (VU) def. Boxx/Nijssen (OM) 8-6

2. Rangel/Guthrie (OM) def. Newman/Preeg (VU) 9-7

3. Renaudin/van de Stroet (OM) def. C. Ulery/K. Ulery (VU) 8-6

Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1

SINGLES

1. Kristi Boxx (OM) def. Catherine Newman (VU) 5-7, 7-6(4), 10-2

2. Jackie Wu (VU) def. Karen Nijssen (OM) 6-4, 6-1

3. Keilly Ulrey (VU) def. Laura van de Stroet (OM) 6-3, 6-3

4. Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Gabriela Rangel (OM) 6-4, 7-5

5. Heather Steinbauer (VU) def. Abigail Guthrie (OM) 2-6, 7-5, 6-2

6. Courtney Ulery (VU) def. Mimi Renaudin (OM) 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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