Sept. 23, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Auburn women's tennis team got off to a slow start to begin its 2005-06 season during the first day of the three-day 18-team Wolfpack Invitational on Friday. The Tigers' delegation of seniors Ashley Cowart and Erin Gray and freshman Alex Haney and Rita Pljusznyin struggled out of the gate, dropping all four singles matches and both doubles matches.
"I saw a lot of bright spots for us," first-year head coach Tim Gray said. "In the scheme of what we are trying to do by developing our fundamentals, it was a good start."
In singles play, Cowart, the fourth seed in the A1 draw dropped her match to Lulila Stupuk of Armstrong Atlantic, 6-2, 6-2. Cowart will face Olya Batsula of East Tennessee State at 10:45 a.m. Saturday.
Freshman Alex Haney went three sets, but dropped her match 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 to Dziyana Nazaruk of Armstrong Atlantic. Haney will square off against Kelly Fleck of Elon at 2:15 Saturday.
Senior Erin Gray dropped her match 6-2, 6-2 to Erica Wade of UNC-Greensboro. Gray will face Manuela Emmrich of Armstrong Atlantic Saturday at 11 a.m.
Rounding out singles play was freshman Rita Pljusznyin. Pljusznyin fell 7-5, 6-1 to Dina Senkina of Liberty.
In doubles, both pairs played together for the first time, as both seniors paired with a freshman. Erin Gray and Rita Pljusznyin fell to Evin Prelec and Kelly Fleck of Elon, 8-4. Ashley Cowart and Alex Haney lost to Manuela Emmrich and Caroline Grage of Armstrong Atlantic, 8-6.
Despite the results, Tim Gray understands the importance of development early in the season.
"The focus on the process of getting better is more important than the results at this stage of the season," Gray said. "In order to build the foundation for the program, our work needs to be done now, so that we will be where we need to in April."
The Tigers continue play at the Wolfpack Invitational Saturday. For the latest news in Auburn tennis, please visit www.auburntigers.com
Women's Collegiate Tennis
Wolfpack Invitational
Raleigh, N.C.
Singles
Draw A1
Lulila Stupuk, Armstrong Atlantic, def. (4)Ashley Cowart, AU, 6-2, 6-2.
Draw A2
Dziyana Nazaruk, Armstrong Atlantic, def. Alex Haney, AU, 5-7, 7-6, 7-5.
Draw B1
Erica Wade, UNC-Greensboro, def. Erin Gray, AU, 6-2, 6-2. Dina Senkina, Liberty, d. (3)Rita Pljusznyin, AU, 7-5, 6-1.
Doubles
Draw A1
Evin Prelec and Kelly Fleck, Elon, def. Erin Gray and Rita Pljusznyin, AU, 8-4.
Manuela Emmrich and Caroline Grage, Armstrong Atlantic, def. Ashley Cowart and Alex Haney, AU, 8-6.