Women's Tennis Battles No. 15 Vanderbilt Down to the Wire

Friday, February 12

Nashville, TN

3:30 p.m.

University of Louisville

Vanderbilt

Andrea Di Palma during the Cards match against Lipscomb at the Bass Rudd Tennis Center on January 31.

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

Women's Tennis Battles No. 15 Vanderbilt Down to the Wire

February 12, 2021 | Women's Tennis

Box Score

Cards win doubles point but fall 5-2

By: Nancy Worley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The University of Louisville women's tennis team took the doubles point but could only manage one singles win, falling 5-2 to No. 15-ranked Vanderbilt Friday evening in Nashville, Tenn.

"It was a hard-fought match," said Mark Beckham, UofL head coach. "We had opportunities to win against a top 20 team at their place. I'm disappointed but I feel we showed we are a good team and capable of beating high level teams."

Louisville, which has won the doubles point in every match this season, continued its streak when the No. 2 pair of Raven Neely and Tatiana Simova handled VU's Emma Kurtz and Marcella Cruz 6-4. The point was clinched when the Cardinal duo of Rhea Verma and Andrea DiPalma outlasted Anna Ross and Holly Staff 7-5 for the win at No. 1.

The Cardinals only point in singles came from DiPalma who won the No. 2 slot 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5) in a marathon match over Anna Ross. There were two other singles matches that went three sets but fell Vandy's way in the end.

UofL returns home to host UT-Martin at 11 a.m. Sunday morning for a Valentine's Day tilt.

#15 Vanderbilt 5, Louisville 2
Singles competition
1. Emma Kurtz (VANDY) def. Raven Neely (LOU) 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)
2. Andrea DiPalma (LOU) def. Anna Ross (VANDY) 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5)
3. #20 Christina Rosca (VANDY) def. Chelsea Sawyer (LOU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Holly Staff (VANDY) def. Rhea Verma (LOU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7)
5. Anessa Lee (VANDY) def. Tatiana Simova (LOU) 6-1, 7-5
6. Marcella Cruz (VANDY) def. Dina Chaika (LOU) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. Rhea Verma/Andrea DiPalma (LOU) def. Anna Ross/Holly Staff (VANDY) 7-5
2. Raven Neely/Tatiana Simova (LOU) def. Emma Kurtz/Marcella Cruz (VANDY) 6-4
3. Christina Rosca/Anessa Lee (VANDY) def. Dina Chaika/Chelsea Sawyer (LOU) 7-5
Match Notes:
Louisville 3-2
Vanderbilt 7-0; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Match Notes:
Louisville 3-2
Vanderbilt 7-0; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (3,5,1,6,4,2)