April 6, 2008
Auburn, Ala. - Auburn sophomore Jil Hastenrath clinched Auburn's 4-3 conference victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks Sunday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center in Auburn.
The Tigers improve to 14-6 overall and 4-6 in conference play. Hatenrath's victory is the second clinch she has had this year for the Tigers.
"We knew this was going to be a tough match with a gritty South Carolina team," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "The team did what was necessary to come out with the win."
The Tigers began singles with a 1-0 lead on the Gamecocks after winning the doubles point. Haney and Koning improved their conference doubles record to 8-2 with an 8-5 victory in the number one doubles spot. Chappell and Chifchieva improved to 4-2 over all with their 8-5 win in the two spot.
South Carolina evened the score to one-all when Megan McGavock defeated Dunja Djuranovic 6-1, 6-0 in the six spot.
Alex Haney took her second-consecutive victory over a higher-ranked opponent as she earned Auburn's second point. She defeated No. 70 Ana Zuboru 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory on court two.
The Tigers went up 3-1 as Fani Chifchieva earned her 19th victory of the season when she defeated No. 44 Gira Schofield 7-5, 7-6 (1).
Melissa Koning fell 6-3 in her first set, but came back to win the second 7-5, however she would fall 6-4 to Natasa Vuckovic in the three spot as the score stood at 3-2. Whitney Chappell also played into a third set, but fell 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Auburn will be back in action on Saturday, April 12, to play its final regular season match before the SEC Championship. The Tigers will host the Alabama Crimson Tide at noon in the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
On April 17-20, Auburn will host the SEC Women's Tennis Championship at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Times and complete tournament information will be available at www.auburntigers.com.
Results
Singles
1. #22 Fani Chifchieva (AU) def. # 44 Gira Schofield (SC) 7-5, 7-6 (1)
2. #107 Alex Haney (AU) def. #70 Ana Zubori (SC) 7-6 (3), 6-4
3. Natasa Vuckovic (SC) def. Melissa Koning (AU) 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
4. Suzie Mansour (SC) def. Whitney Chappell (AU) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
5. Jil Hastenrath (AU) def. Jelena Rajic (SC) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), 7-5
6. Megan McGavock (SC) def. Dunja Djuranovic (AU) 6-1, 6-0
Order of Finish: 6, 2, 1, 3, 5, 4
Doubles
1. #22 Haney/Koning (AU) def. #37 Schofield/Zubori (SC) 8-5
2. Chappell/Chifchieva (AU) def. Mansour/McGavock (SC) 8-4
3. Rajic/Vuckovic (SC) def. Djuranovic/Hastenrath (AU) 8-4
Order of Finish: 2,1,3