March 13, 2011
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Auburn women's tennis team (2-11, 0-4 SEC) dropped a 4-0 decision to top-ranked Florida (15-1, 4-0 SEC). The Tigers will return to action on Saturday with a doubleheader against Boston University and Troy.
"We are beginning to show a much better competitive spirit," said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. "Clearly there is a reason Florida is No. 1 in the nation. However, I really believe we had some opportunities at certain spots and they knew that."
Florida won the doubles point with wins on all three courts. In the No. 3 doubles match up, the Tigers' Taylor Schreimann and Caroline Thronton fell to the Gator's Olivia Janowicz and Sofie Oyen, 8-3.
On court two, the No. 75-ranked team of Lauren Embree and Joanna Mather defeated Auburn's Jacquline Kasler and Plamena Kurteva, 8-4, to clinch the doubles point.
On court one, Auburn's Olivia Bennett and Paulina Schuppers went up against Florida's Alex Cercone and Allie Will. Florida was up 7-3 before play was suspended.
In singles action, No. 1 Florida continued rolling with three straight-set victories. On court six, Florida's Brittany Borsanyi topped Auburn's Taylor Cohen, winning, 6-0. 6-1.
On court two, Bennett fell to No. 26 Embree, 6-0, 6-1 while Kasler fell to No. 35 Cercone, 6-1, 6-2, on court five to clinch the match for the Gators.
After Florida clinched the match, play was suspended on the rest of the courts. In the No. 1 matchup, Schippers was down, 6-2, 3-0, to No. 7 Allie Will. On court four, Kurteva was down to No. 21 Mather, 6-2, 4-0. In the No. 3 match up, Thronton was behind Oyen, 6-3, 2-1.
Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 10 a.m. with a match against Boston University. Play will continue at 4 p.m. against in-state rival Troy. Both matches will be played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center and admission is free.
Against Florida
#1 University of Florida 4, Auburn 0
Singles
1. #7 Allie Will (UF) vs. Paulina Schippers (AU) 6-3, 2-0, unfinished
2. #26 Lauren Embree (UF) def. Olivia Bennett (AU) 6-0, 6-1
3. Sofie Oyen (UF) vs. Caroline Thornton (AU) 6-3, 2-1, unfinished
4. #21 Joanna Mather (UF) vs. Plamena Kurteva (AU) 6-2, 4-0, unfinished
5. #35 Alexandra Cercone (UF) def. Jacqueline Kasler (AU) 6-1, 6-2
6. Brittany Borsanyi (UF) def. Taylor Cohen (AU) 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
1. Alexandra Cercone/Allie Will (UF) vs. Olivia Bennett/Paulina Schippers (AU) 7-3, unfinished
2. #75 Lauren Embree/Joanna Mather (UF) def. Plamena Kurteva/Jacqueline Kasler (AU) 8-4
3. Olivia Janowicz/Sofie Oyen (UF) def. Taylor Schreimann/Caroline Thornton (AU) 8-3
Match Notes:
Auburn 2-12 (0-4 SEC)
Florida 15-1 (4-0 SEC); National ranking #1
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (6,2,5)