No. 10 Clemson Outlasts #19 Vanderbilt, 4-2, to Advance to Round of 16

Jan. 30, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – No. 10 Clemson found itself in a 2-0 hole following doubles and the completion of the first singles match, but comeback victories from Caroline Magnusson gave the Tigers a 4-2 win over #19 Vanderbilt on Sunday. The Tigers improved to 7-0 on the season, while the Commodores dropped to 2-1 with the loss.

Clemson advances to Charlottesville, VA on Feb. 18-21, where they are one of the last 16 teams remaining in the ITA Indoor National Team Championships. The Tigers hosted the first two rounds, dispatching #61 Dartmouth, 7-0 on Saturday.  

The Commodores promised a tough matchup, as they feature five ranked singles players, and were coming off a win against #9 Northwestern early last week.

Vandy wasted no time in making their upset intentions clear, as their number two doubles team, #53 Preeg and Wu, defeated Clemson’s Caroline Magnusson 8-3.  Nelly Ciolkowski and Klara Vyskocilova lost in a nail-biter, 8-6, to number three doubles team, Mira and Ulery, halting doubles play with Vanderbilt’s Leatu and Dillon ahead of Bek and Wong 6-5. The ‘Dores became the first team in 2011 to take the doubles point from Clemson, who reacted in strong and swift fashion.

Fighting illness, freshman Klara Vyskocilova dropped her match to  #89 Chelsea Preeg, 7-5, 6-2 , giving Vandy the 2-0 lead.

Josipa Bek came back in her first set against #83 Jackie Wu at flight one, winning a tiebreak set, 7-6 (6). She then moved swiftly through the second set, winning 6-0, and cutting the deficit to 2-1. The highlight was Bek’s between-the-legs return, which hit the net before Wu hit her return into the net.

Nelly Ciolkowski brought the Tigers even with a 7-5, 6-4 win over #64 Rachael Dillon at flight four. Clemson went ahead when #48 Keri Wong shook off a 6-4 first-set loss and a 4-3 second-set deficit to win the final two sets, 7-5, 6-4, against Vandy’s highest ranked player, #50 Alex Leatu.

Clemson jumped out to quick leads at flights five and six, which would decide the match. Masha Belaya won her first set, 6-3, over #119 Lauren Mira, but dropped the second set, 6-4, forcing a third set.

Meanwhile at six, Caroline Magnusson was clawing her way through several heart-pounding rallies, taking the first set, 6-2, and grinding out the second, 6-3, after breaking Keilly Ulery’s serve the last two times, and held serve to clinch the match for Clemson.



#10 Clemson (7-0) def. #19 Vanderbilt (2-1), 4-2

January 30, 2011 – ITA Kickoff Weekend

Clemson Regional Championship – Clemson, SC

Doubles:

1. #20 Dillon/Leatu (VU) led #2 Bek/Wong (CU) , 6-5, dnf
2. #53 Preeg/Wu (VU) def. Belaya/Magnusson (CU), 8-3
3. Mira/Ulery (VU) def. Ciolkowski/Vyskocilova (CU), 8-6

Order of Finish: 2, 3

Singles:

1. #12 Josipa Bek (CU) def. #83 Jackie Wu (VU), 7-6(6), 6-0
2. #48 Keri Wong (CU)  def. #50 Alex Leatu (VU), 5-7, 7-5, 6-4
3. #89 Chelsea Preeg (VU) def. Klara Vyskocilova (CU), 7-5, 6-2
4. Nelly Ciolkowski (CU) def. #64 Rachael Dillon (VU) 7-5, 6-3
5. #119 Lauren Mira (VU) led Maria Belaya (CU) v. 3-6, 6-4, 1-0
6. Caroline Magnusson (CU) def. Keilly Ulery (VU) 6-2, 6-3

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

Time of Match: 4:31