April 14, 2007
Tuscaloosa, Alabama--The Tigers defeated Alabama 4-3 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. With the win and LSU's loss, Auburn earns a share of the SEC West title.
The match began as Alabama edged the Tigers in the doubles point. Alabama's No. 3 pair of. Paulina Bigos and Nicole Briceno won 8-6 over Kelly Adams and Whitney Chappell of Auburn. Mari Muller and Andrea Brenes of Alabama edged out Auburn's No. 1 team of Fani Chifchieva and Alex Haney 8-5, giving the Tide the doubles point. Melissa Koning and Jil Hastenrath were also defeated in the No. 2 match by Shelley Godwin and Bianca Svensson 9-7.
Alex Haney scored Auburn's first point by besting Nicole Briceno 6-1, 6-1. No. 27 Fani Chifchieva defeated Mari Muller 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot. Melissa Koning added to the scoring by beating Shelley Godwin 6-3, 6-4. Whitney Chappell secured the victory for Auburn by winning her No. 4 match over Biaca Svesson 7-6, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7.
"I am so proud of the way we competed today and all season long." Auburn Head Coach Tim Gray said, "for these girls to be SEC West Co-champions is a tremendous accomplishment. We are looking forward to putting on a good performance at the SEC tournament."
U of A scored two more points in singles. The Tide's Paulina Bigos won 6-4, 4-6 over Jil Hastenrath. Kelly Adams, at the No. 6 spot, lost to Andrea Brenes 6-2, 6-7, 11-9.
No. 72 Alabama 3, No. 37 Auburn 4
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Hank Crisp Indoor Facility
Time: 5 hrs. 15 min.
Singles Competiton:
1. No. 27 Fani Chifchieva (AU) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-1, 6-2
2. Alex Haney (AU) def. Nicole Briceno (UA) 6-1, 6-1
3. Melissa Koning (AU) def. Shelley Godwin (UA) 6-3, 6-1
4. Whitney Chappell (AU) def. Bianca Svensson (UA) 7-6, 4-6, 6-1, 10-7
5. Paulina Bigos (UA) def. Jil Hastenrath (AU) 6-4, 4-6
6. Andrea Brenes (UA) def. Kelly Adams (AU) 6-2, 6-7, 11-9
Doubles Competition:
1. Mari Muller/Andrea Brenes (UA) def. Fani Chifchieva/Alex Haney (AU) 8-5
2. Shelley Godwin/Bianca Svensson (UA) def. Melissa Koning/Jil Hastenrath (AU) 9-7
3. Paulina Bigos/Nicole Briceno (UA) def. Kelly Adams/Whitney Chappell (AU) 8-6
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3*,2); Singles ( 2,1,3,4*,5,6)