KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The sophomore duo of Erin Pearce and Mia Yamakita notched an opening day win on Friday at the ITA South Sectional Championships hosted by Tennessee, keeping Vanderbilt's hopes of additional NCAA qualifiers alive.
The pair, facing Georgia's Nadia Lagaev and Ava Rodriguez, made quick work of the Bulldog duo, 6-3, 6-1. The win marked the fifth doubles victory together for Pearce and Yamakita this fall, who also claimed a W15 pro doubles title in October during the West End Classic from Nashville. Friday's rout was their first over an SEC opponent this season.
Pearce and Yamakita play again Friday in the doubles quarterfinals and will face another SEC pairing in Tennessee's Rinon Okuwaki and Maeve Thornton.