Vanderbilt defeats Arkansas 7-0; Kaluder takes first loss
NASHVILLE – Arkansas’ top singles player Ela Kaluder took her first loss of the season as the Lady Razorbacks fell to 17th ranked Vanderbilt, 7-0, in Southeastern Conference women’s tennis.
Vanderbilt moves to 9-4 overall and undefeated in SEC play at 3-0 while Arkansas dropped to 6-5 overall and 0-3 in league matches.
The first venture on the road and the first match outdoors was not kind to the Lady Razorbacks as 30th-ranked Kaluder saw her 10-match winning streak snapped with a 6-3, 6-4, decision to Amanda Fish on the first court.
“The first outdoor match of the season is always a little difficult and Vanderbilt didn’t make it any easier,” UA head coach Michael Hegarty said. “We had some bright spots, but not enough.”
On the second court, Arkasnas went to three sets with 32nd-ranked Amanda Taylor as Maryori Franco took the opener with a blistering 6-1. Taylor rallied with a tough 6-4 second, then closed out the match by blanking Franco in the third.
The doubles point was close on the first and second courts, but Arkansas was unable to win a set.
The rest of the singles lineup went in straight sets as the Commodores brought four ranked singles players to the top slots. Catherine Newman defended her No. 49 ranking on the third court to Nanar Airapetian, 6-2, 6-4, while 103rd-ranked Taka Bertrand downed Audrey Bordeleau, 6-1, 6-3.
Courtney Ulery defeated Rachel Wilhelm, 6-1, 6-2, at No. 5 while Liberty Sveke’s win 6-4, 6-2, over Carly Dixon rounded out singles.
Arkansas travels on from Vanderbilt to face 31st-ranked Kentucky on Sunday.
RESULTVanderbilt 7, Arkansas 0Doubles1. Amanda Taylor/Amanda Fish (VU) d. Nanar Airapetian/Maryori Franco (ARK) 8-52. Taka Bertrand/Catherine Newman (VU) d. Audrey Bordeleau/Ela Kaluder (ARK) 8-43. Liberty Sveke/Courtney Ulery (VU) d. Melissa Hoffmeister/Rachel Wilhelm (ARK) 8-0Order of finish: 3, 2*, 1Singles1. #35 Amanda Fish (VU) d. #30 Ela Kaluder 6-3, 6-42. #32 Amanda Taylor(VU) d. Maryoria Franco 1-6, 6-4, 6-03. #49 Catherine Newman (VU) d. Nanar Airapetian 6-2, 6-44. #103 Taka Bertrand (VU) d. Audrey Bordeleau 6-1, 6-35. Courtney Ulery (VU) d. Rachel Wilhelm 6-1, 6-26. Liberty Sveke (VU) d. Carly Dixon 6-4, 6-2Order of finish: 5, 4, 6*, 3, 2, 1
