Jan. 23, 2008
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn, Ala. - Auburn's Whitney Chappell battled to a super-breaker with Christy Striplin in the four singles spot but it was not enough for the Tigers(0-1, 0-0 SEC) who fell 7-0 to the Yellow Jackets (1-0, 0-0 ACC) at the Yarborough Tennis Center in Auburn.
"This was our first match and coming out and we were a little nervous," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "We had chances at the two and three doubles spots. We are going in the right direction and we are going to pick up a lot of good wins this season."
The Yellow Jackets clinched the match when Noell Hickey defeated Jil Hastenrath in the number five singles spot. Tech's first singles point came from Kristen Flower's 6-0, 6-2, win over freshman Gaby Beelen. That victory was followed with a two set win over Melissa Koning on court three.
Senior Alex Haney lost a tough match to Kristi Miller 7-5, 6-3 in the No. 1 singles spot. In the four spot Chappell battled and fell 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, to Striplin.
Georgia Tech won the doubles point when Striplin and Hickey defeated Chappell and Beelen. Haney and Koning were defeated on court one by Flower and Miller. Although Chifchieva and Hastenrath played a tough match they were defeated 8-7 by McCray and McDowell.
The Tigers will be back in action on Jan. 26, for a double header at the Yarborough Tennis Center. The Tigers will take on the Mercer Bears at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The match is open to the public and admission is free. Live stats will be available at www.auburntigers.com.
Results- ( ) Denotes order of finish
Singles
(5)GT Kristi Miller def. AU Alex Haney 7-5, 6-3
(4)GT Amanda McDowell def. AU Fani Chifchieva 6-4, 6-1
(2)GT Whitney McCray def. AU Melissa Koning 6-0, 6-4
(6)GT Christy Striplin def. AU Whitney Chappell 2-6, 6-3, 10-8
(3)GT Noell Hickey def. Jil Hastenrath 6-3, 6-1
(1)GT Kristen Flower def. AU Gaby Beelen 6-0, 6-2
Doubles
(1)GT Flower/Miller def. AU Haney/Koning 8-2
(3)GT McCray/McDowell def. AU Chifchieva/Hastenrath 8-7
(2)GT Striplin/Hickey def. AU Chappell/Beelen 8-4