Jan. 23, 2012
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut - Auburn women's tennis earned multiple victories at the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Yale last weekend in its first action of 2012.
"Playing indoors and going up against three ranked teams and multiple ranked players, we knew going in that we were in for a tough weekend," Auburn head coach Lauren Longbotham Meisner said. "But I'm glad with how we competed and we learned a lot about what we need to improve on."
Auburn opened play on Sunday against No. 61 Purdue and picked up a key singles win at number one with freshman Emily Flickinger downing Purdue's nationally-ranked Jenny Rabot in straight sets 6-3, 7-5.
The strong day continued with a pair of doubles wins at No. 2 and No. 3 against No. 30 Yale. In the top spot, Jacqueline Kasler and Jen Pfeifler earned an 8-2 win over Yale's 16th-ranked Hanna Yu and Vicky Brook.
Lauren Levant and Paulina Schippers were also able to score a victory over another ranked Yale duo, ITA No. 59 pairing Annie Sullivan and Amber Li, 8-7 (4).
In singles action against Yale, Jacqueline Kasler battled back after losing the first set to knock off Li, 0-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Facing No. 22 Tulsa in doubles play juniors Paulina Schippers and Plamena Kurteva defeated Michelle Farley and Isaura Enrique, 9-8.
Sophomore Olivia Bennett knocked off Tulsa's Bonny Davidson in three sets, 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 to pick up a singles win on Friday.
"We were able to pick up several good singles and doubles victories and also gain a lot of valuable experience this weekend," Longbotham Meisner said. "The team is ready for next weekend and ready to open up our schedule of dual matches."
Auburn opens its slate of home dual matches on Sunday when it hosts Alabama A&M at 10 a.m. and Southern Miss at 2 p.m. at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Before opening the home season, the Tigers head to Troy to face the Trojans on Saturday.