Jan. 20, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 3 Auburn equestrian team kicked off the 2017 portion of the season with a 9-3 exhibition victory over Alabama. The Tigers and the Crimson Tide squared off in Tuscaloosa for the Hunt Seat-only competition.
"The team rode extremely well today," head coach Greg Williams said. "They all adjusted like they needed to with Coach Jessica Braswell. Alabama did a tremendous job not only in riding, but also in putting on a quality competition. Their gameday performance is already running like a well-seasoned NCAA program."
Auburn opened with a 4-2 win in Equitation Over Fences as sophomore Kennedy Knapic picked up the team's first point with a 79-72 victory. Freshman Becky Kozma earned MOP honors after her 81 points bested Lauren Neibauer's 75. Junior Caitlin Creel scored 78 points in her win and sophomore Alex Ladove capped the event with an 80-77 victory over Madelyn Malone.
The Tigers went 5-1 in Equitation on the Flat, taking the first three matches. Ladove kicked things off with an 85-80 win for AU. Classmate Casey Schmitz put together an MOP ride in the event, scoring 88 points in her victory. It was the first MOP honor for the Ashburn, Va., product. Sophomore Hayley Iannotti followed with an 87-80 win over Seide Cimbura. Creel earned her second win of the day (77-64) and sophomore Mackenzie Michaels closed out the day with an 82-81 victory.
The full Tiger squad returns to competition with a home meet vs. SEC rival Georgia. Auburn and the Bulldogs face off at 1 p.m. CT, Feb. 11, at the Auburn University Horse Center.
#3 AUBURN 9, ALABAMA 3
Equitation on the Flat
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Lindsey Cayce (UA), 85-80
Casey Schmitz (AU) def. Kasey Emm (UA), 88-79
Haley Iannotti (AU) def. Seide Cimbura (UA), 87-80
Lauren Neibauer (UA) def. Becky Kozma (AU), 76-71
Caitlin Creel (AU) def. Clare Ols (UA), 77-64
Mackenzie Michaels (AU) def. Courtney Poist (UA), 82-81
Equitation Over Fences
Hannah Wickham (UA) def. Abby Wagner (AU), 77-76
Kennedy Knapic (AU) def. Emma Pennell (UA), 79-72
Lindsey Cayce (UA) def. Anna Claire Smith (AU), 79-40
Becky Kozma (AU) def. Lauren Neibauer (UA), 81-75
Caitlin Creel (AU) def. Courtney Poist (UA), 78-73
Alex Ladove (AU) def. Madelyn Malone (UA), 80-77
For the latest on Auburn volleyball, follow @AuburnEQ on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnEQ.