Vanderbilt's Pearce and Yamakita earn NCAA doubles berth
The sophomores beat Georgia's top-seeded pair at the ITA South Sectional, giving the Commodores two teams in the NCAA Doubles Championship.
NASHVILLE - Vanderbilt sophomores Erin Pearce and Mia Yamakita qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championship on Saturday, according to Vanderbilt athletics, giving the Commodores two doubles teams in the event.
Pearce and Yamakita earned the bid at the ITA South Sectional Championships, hosted by Tennessee in Knoxville, by beating Georgia's Patricija Paukstyte and Bella Payne, the No. 1 seed, in straight sets. Vanderbilt said Georgia saved two match points to tie the second set 5-5 before the Commodores won the next two games.
They join senior Valeria Ray and junior Sophia Webster, who qualified by winning the ITA Ohio Valley Regional doubles title. Vanderbilt said the 2026 NCAA individual championships mark its 24th straight qualification, and that Pearce and Yamakita went 3-0 against SEC opponents in sectional play.
Source: Vanderbilt Athletics: Pearce, Yamakita Headed to NCAA Championships (Nov. 7, 2026).