Feb. 29, 2008
Fayetteville, Ark. - The No. 29 Auburn women's tennis team (8-2, 1-0 SEC) captures its first conference win 4-3 over the No. 26 Arkansas Lady'Backs (7-5, 0-1 SEC) in Fayetteville, Friday. Whitney Chappel clinched the match for Auburn and sophomore Fani Chifchieva extended her winning streak to nine matches with her win over No. 2 Aurelija Miseviciute.
"The team should be very proud of themselves today," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "They came mentally prepared for this match and they stayed focused. They fought hard and came back with a win. I am so proud of our team today."
After dropping the doubles point, junior Alex Haney won AU's first point with a 6-4, 6-1, win over No. 61 Anouk Tigu in the two spot. Chifchieva's victory accounted for Auburn's second point.
Tied at 2-2, Auburn dropped a match on court three. However, Sophomore Jil Hastenrath earned her eighth-straight win 6-4, 6-2, but it was team co-captain Chappell who would clinch the conference win for the Tigers.
Chappell dropped her first set 5-7, but came back in the second to win 7-6(5). She polished off Auburn's win with a 7-6(3) victory over Maryori Franco.
Haney and partner Melissa Koning won Auburn's only doubles match over No. 23 Miseviciute and Ela Kaluder.
Auburn continues its SEC road tour in Baton Rouge, Sunday, March 2, to face LSU. The Tigers will be back on the Plains on March 7, to host Ole Miss at 2 p.m. CT.
Results
Singles
1. #50 Fani Chifchieva (AU) def. #2 Aurelija Miseviciute (Ark) 6-0, 6-4
2. Alex Haney (AU) def. #61 Anouk Tigu (ark) 6-4, 6-1
3. Ela Kaluder (Ark) def, Melissa Koning (AU) 6-3, 7-6 (3)
4. Whitney Chappell (AU) def. Maryori Franco (Ark) 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(3)
5. Jil Hastenrath (AU) def. Nanar Airapetian (Ark) 6-4, 6-2
6. Audrey Bordeleau (Ark) def. Gaby Beelen (AU) 6-3, 6-3
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 1, 5, 3, 4
Doubles
1. Haney/Koning (AU) def. #23 Miseviciute/Kaluder (Ark) 8-6
2. #59 Franco/Airapetian (Ark) def. Chifchieva/Chappell (AU) 8-6
3. Bordeleau/Tigu (Ark) def. Hastenrath/Chappell (AU) 8-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1