Blue Raiders fall to No. 15 Vanderbilt

Thursday, February 5

Nashville, Tenn.

2:30 PM

Middle Tennessee

Vanderbilt

2/5/2009 7:08:00 PM | Women's Tennis

By: MT Athletic Communications

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee women's tennis team lost its first match of the season as No. 15 Vanderbilt took a 6-1 win on Thursday afternoon. Freshman Alex Dachos was the lone bright spot for the Blue Raiders as she defeated VU's Erica Robertson in a three-set tie-breaker 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9). The Commodores took control of the match early sweeping doubles play to take a 1-0 lead. Heather Steinbauer handed freshman Taylor Coffey her first loss of the season 6-3, 6-1 extending VU's lead. No. 55 Catherine Newman defeated senior Andrea Herrera 6-1, 6-1 while No. 8 Chelsea Preeg won her match 6-3, 6-0 over junior Natalie Araya to seal the win. Rounding out the match for the Blue Raiders were freshman Marietta Bigus and senior Marlene Chemin. Bigus fell to No. 105 Courtney Ulery 6-2, 6-4 while Chemin lost 7-5, 6-3 to Hannah Blatt. The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 8 when it plays host to conference opponent UALR. The match will is set for 10 a.m. at Nashboro Village in Nashville, Tenn.

Complete Results
Singles
1. #55 Catherine Newman (VU) def. Andrea Herrera (MT) 6-1, 6-1
2. #105 Courtney Ulery (VU) def. Marietta Bigus (MT) 6-2, 6-4
3. #80 Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Natalie Araya (MT) 6-3, 6-0
4. Heather Steinbauer (VU) def. Taylor Coffey (MT) 6-3, 6-1
5. Alex Dachos (MT) def. Erica Robertson (VU) 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9-7)
6. Hannah Blatt (VU) def. Marlene Chemin (MT) 7-5, 6-3

Doubles
1. Heather Steinbauer/Jackie Wu (VU) def. Natalie Araya/Marietta Bigus (MT) 8-2
2. Catherine Newman/Erica Robertson (VU) def. Marlene Chemin/Taylor Coffey (MT) 8-0
3. Courtney Ulery/Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Alex Dachos/Anna Djananova (MT) 8-2

Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 2-1
Vanderbilt 2-1; National ranking #15
Order of finish: Doubles (); Singles (4,1,3,2,5,6)