Feb. 10, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The No. 12 Auburn women's tennis team had to fight early adversity, but battled back to complete a 4-3 comeback win over No. 10 Michigan in the consolation round of the ITA Team Indoor National Championships in Madison, Wis.
In doubles, the Wolverines came out firing as they clinched the doubles point in the first two sets. On court one, Kate Fahey and Alex Najarian defeated Auburn's Jaeda Daniel and Alizee Michaud 6-0. On court two, Brienne Minor and Mira Ruder-Hook took down Auburn's Madeline Meredith and Taylor Russo 6-1.
Court three was promising for the Tigers as Georgie Axon and Alannah Griffin held a 4-2 lead over Michigan's Chiara Lommer and Lera Patiuk when the point was clinched.
In singles, Michigan drew first blood with No. 29 Kate Fahey's 6-0, 6-2 win over Auburn's No. 49 Jaeda Daniel on court one. Auburn responded with a 6-0, 6-4 victory of their own by senior Andie Dikosavljevic over Michigan's Alex Najarian on court five. That victory pushed Dikosavljevic to a 4-1 record in her spring campaign.
Auburn's Alizee Michaud evened up the score, posting a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Michigan's Brienne Minor on court three. Michaud is now out to an impressive 6-1 start to her spring season.
Michigan proceeded to climb back on top with a 6-1, 6-4 victory from No. 56 Chiara Lommer over Auburn's No. 86 Taylor Russo on court two.
Auburn now needed wins on both remaining courts, and the girls answered the bell. On court six, sophomore Georgie Axon finished her nail-biter of a match with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory over Michigan's Bella Lorenzini on court six.
That left freshman Madeline Meredith by herself to clinch the win for the Tigers. Meredith was unfazed by the magnitude of the moment, however, as she clinched the final point with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (3) victory over Michigan's Mira Ruder-Hook on court four just moments after Axon's victory. That win also boosted Meredith's stellar spring freshman campaign to a 6-1 record.
The Tigers will conclude their action in Madison, Wis. tomorrow against Wake Forest at 6:30 pm. C.T. in Nielsen Tennis Stadium.
No. 12 Auburn 4, No. 10 Michigan 3
Singles
#29 Kate Fahey (MICH) def. #49 Jaeda Daniel (AUBURN) 6-0, 6-2
#56 Chiara Lommer (MICH) def. #86 Taylor Russo (AUBURN) 6-1, 6-4
Alizee Michaud (AUBURN) def. Brienne Minor (MICH) 6-3, 7-5
Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) def. Mira Ruder-Hook (MICH) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (3)
Andie Dikosavljevic (AUBURN) def. Alex Najarian (MICH) 6-0, 6-4
Georgie Axon (AUBURN) def. Bella Lorenzini (MICH) 6-1, 7-6 (4)
Doubles
Kate Fahey/Alex Najarian (MICH) def. Jaeda Daniel/Alizee Michaud (AUBURN) 6-0
Mira Ruder-Hook/Brienne Minor (MICH) def. Taylor Russo/Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) 6-1
Lera Patiuk/Chiara Lommer (MICH) vs. Georgie Axon/Alannah Griffin (AUBURN) 2-4, unfinished
Order of finish:
Singles ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 1, 5, 3, 2, 6, 4; Doubles ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 2, 1