The Commodores, 4-0 going into this weekend’s play, started the ITA Kickoff on Saturday, Jan. 27, with a slight blow as the team fell for the first time this season, albeit to the No. 1 team in the nation. The morning of tennis began with two doubles matches, where two of OSU’s duos — Justin Boulais/Andrew Lutschaunig and No. 27 Robert Cash/Bryce Nakashima — defeated two of Vanderbilt’s pairs — No. 59 Nathan Cox/Jeremie Casabon (6-0) and Juan Lopez/Hugo Coquelin (6-2), respectively. A third match between OSU’s JJ Tracy/Cannon Kingsley and Vanderbilt’s Joubert Klopper/Danil Panarin was played as well, but it went unfinished. Tracy/Kingsley were up 5-2 when the match was stopped due to the Buckeyes already securing the doubles point. 

The Commodores faced similar struggles in their singles matches. OSU won three matches in straight sets, and the rest went unfinished. OSU’s Cannon Kingsley, Justin Boulais and No. 4 JJ Tracy all dominated in their matches against Vanderbilt’s Danil Panarin (6-3, 6-2), Joubert Klopper (6-2, 6-3) and Juan Lopez (6-0, 6-1), respectively. In the three unfinished matches, OSU’s No. 11 Jack Anthrop, No. 103 Alexander Bernard and Robert Cash battled against Vanderbilt’s Nathan Cox (7-5, 4-2, unfinished), Jeremie Casabon (6-2, 3-2, unfinished) and Hugo Coquelin (6-4, 3-4, unfinished).

“We didn’t back down, and we’re a point here or there from making it a very interesting match on several of the courts,” head coach Scott Brown said. “This team is tough, and if we continue to bring this fight, day in and day out, I like our chances against anybody.”

On Saturday, Boise State beat Oregon 4-3, meaning Vanderbilt would get to play Oregon in the consolation round on Sunday. The Commodores played the Beavers better than Boise State did, taking Sunday’s dual match over the Ducks 4-2.

Similar to Saturday, Sunday’s play began with doubles matches, in which Oregon won two straight, taking the doubles point. Oregon’s Quinn Vandecasteele/Matthew Burton and Avi Shugar/Lachlan Robertson defeated Vanderbilt’s No. 59 Nathan Cox/Jeremie Casabon (6-3) and Juan Lopez/Hugo Coquelin (6-4), respectively. Oregon’s Ray Lo/Lenn Luemkemann were ahead 5-3 on Vanderbilt’s Joubert Klopper/Danil Panarin when the match was left unfinished.

In singles play, Vanderbilt had a rocky start as well. The first singles match ended with Oregon’s Vlad Breazu taking down Vanderbilt’s Klopper (6-3, 6-3). However, Vanderbilt stopped losing from this point on, taking the next four matches and securing the dual match victory against Oregon. Coquelin took down Luemkemann over three sets (6-1, 7-6 (9-7)), and Casabon came out with the win in straight sets against Lo (6-2, 7-5). The dual match was then tied 2-2. Vanderbilt closed out the day’s matches with two wins as Panarin got a crucial victory over No. 66 Vandecasteele (6-4, 0-6, 6-3), and Cox delivered the final blow in a close match against Burton (6-3, 4-6, 6-3). Oregon’s Zian Vanderstappen had a one-set lead against Vanderbilt’s Lopez before the match concluded (7-5, 4-5).

“With every match, win or lose, we learn and have some things to work on heading into this week in preparation for a tough doubleheader against Belmont and Butler next Sunday,” Brown said.

Vanderbilt will return to Nashville with a  5-1 record after this weekend. The Commodores will host Belmont and Butler in a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 4th.