The women’s tennis team from Auburn University, ranked No. 14, concluded the ITA National Team Indoor Championships in Seattle with a resounding victory over No. 8 Florida. The final score was 4-0 in favor of Auburn in the consolation match. This win marks Auburn’s fourth triumph over a top-10 opponent in the past three seasons. It is also the third time that the Tigers have defeated the Gators in the history of their program, and the third time in their last four meetings. With this victory, Auburn’s record improves to 5-3, while Florida’s drops to 4-4. Next, the Tigers will travel to face Texas on Feb. 18.
In a thrilling match, Ariana Arseneault and Angella Okutoyi came from behind, overcoming a 3-2 deficit to defeat Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee with a score of 6-4. This win marks the third doubles victory of the season for Arseneault and Okutoyi. Although Florida won on court three, DJ Bennett and Adeline Flach fought back on court two to secure the doubles point for Auburn. Trailing 4-3, the Auburn duo won consecutive games, taking a 5-4 lead. Eventually, the match went into a tie-break, which Bennett and Flach dominated with a score of 7-1, earning the crucial doubles point.
In the singles matches, Carolyn Ansari initially trailed 4-3 in her opening set against Carly Briggs. However, she made an impressive comeback and emerged victorious with a score of 6-4. Arseneault also displayed great resilience on court two. Despite losing the first three games of the opening set to Rachel Gailis, she fought back and forced a tie-break. In the intense tiebreaker, Arseneault emerged as the winner with a score of 11-9. Bennett and Okutoyi also secured first set wins in their respective matches.
Bennett continued her winning streak with a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory over Alicia Dudeney, securing Auburn’s first singles win of the match. This win brings Bennett’s total singles victories this season to 15, with five of those victories in dual matches.
After Bennett’s triumph, Ansari followed suit with a straight sets victory on the first court, winning with a score of 6-4, 6-2. This marks Ansari’s fourth consecutive singles win and her ninth victory over a ranked opponent this season.
On court three, Angella Okutoyi showcased her skills once again, earning her second singles win in as many days. She defeated Emily de Oliveria, securing her fourth singles win in dual meets this season and achieving her highest-scoring singles win in her Auburn career.
Interim coach Lester Cook expressed his analysis after the win: “The team displayed great effort and competed exceptionally well today. The doubles point played a crucial role in gaining momentum for the singles matches. The outcome could have gone either way, but we executed the important points effectively and maintained high energy throughout the match.”
Carolyn Ansari also had a remarkable performance, securing a 6-4, 6-2 victory on court one against No. 67 ranked Carly Briggs.
The Tigers are just one victory away from securing the match, leading 3️⃣-0️⃣. #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/IIHfADnl50
In the women’s doubles category:
1. Ariana Arseneault and Angella Okutoyi (AUB) defeated Alicia Dudeney and Bente Spee (UF) with a score of 6-4.
2. DJ Bennett and Adeline Flach (AUB) emerged victorious against Malwina Rowinska and Qavia Lopez (UF) in a 7-6 (7-1) battle.
3. Carly Briggs and Rachel Gailis (UF) secured a win over Selin Ovunc and Carolyn Ansari (AUB) with a score of 6-4.
Moving on to the women’s singles matches:
1. #13 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) defeated #67 Carly Briggs (UF) with a score of 6-4, 6-2.
2. #61 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) is currently facing off against #70 Rachel Gailis (UF) in an unfinished match, with a score of 7-6 (9), 1-1.
3. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) emerged victorious against #44 Emily de Oliveira (UF) with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
4. #43 DJ Bennett (AUB) defeated Alicia Dudeney (UF) with a score of 6-3, 6-1.
5. #104 Selin Ovunc (AUB) is currently facing Qavia Lopez (UF) in an unfinished match, with a score of 3-6, 3-5.
6. Adeline Flach (AUB) is currently facing Malwina Rowinska (UF) in an unfinished match, with a score of 3-6, 4-4.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org