March 24, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 15 Auburn women's tennis team was defeated by No. 18 Florida by a score of 4-1 on Saturday at home at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The Tigers were without senior Alizee Michaud and freshman Madeline Meredith, who play in the one and three spots in singles and doubles, but still managed to battle until the end.
Doubles play came down to the wire. Jaeda Daniel and Andie Dikosavljevic claimed the first doubles point with a 6-3 win over Florida's Peggy Porter and Katie Kubicz on court three. Florida soon responded with a 6-2 win from the No. 23 tandem of Anna Danilina and Victoria Emma over Auburn's Georgie Axon and Caroline Turner on court one.
As the doubles point came down to court two, a tiebreaker set was needed to clinch the point. Florida was able to clinch the point in the end with a 7-6 (6) win from Josie Kuhlman and McCartney Kessler over Auburn's Taylor Russo and Alannah Griffin.
As with doubles, singles competition remained tight. Auburn earned the first singles point with a 6-3, 6-3 win from sophomore Taylor Russo over Florida's Victoria Emma on court three.
The Gators took back the lead with a 6-3, 6-3 win from No. 19 Anna Danilina over Auburn's No. 79 Jaeda Daniel on court one. Katie Kubicz followed that with a 7-6 (4), 6-1 win over Auburn's Alannah Griffin on court six. McCartney Kessler then clinched the match for the Gators with a 7-5, 7-6 (5) win over Auburn's Georgie Axon on court four.
Auburn is now 16-7 on the season and 4-3 in SEC play. The Tigers' next action will be on the road next weekend as they take on No. 37 Tennessee and No. 9 Georgia.
Auburn will take on Tennessee on Thursday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Goodfriend Tennis Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The Tigers will then travel to Athens, Ga. to square off against Georgia on Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
#18 Florida 4, #15 Auburn 1
Singles
1. #19 Anna Danilina (UF) def. #79 Jaeda Daniel (AUBURN) 6-3, 6-3
2. Andie Dikosavljevic (AUBURN) vs. #48 Josie Kuhlman (UF) 6-4, 4-6, 2-3, unfinished
3. Taylor Russo (AUBURN) def. Victoria Emma (UF) 6-3, 6-3
4. McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Georgie Axon (AUBURN) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)
5. Caroline Turner (AUBURN) vs. Peggy Porter (UF) 6-7 (2-7), 4-5, unfinished
6. Katie Kubicz (UF) def. Alannah Griffin (AUBURN) 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
Doubles
1. #23 Anna Danilina/Victoria Emma (UF) def. Georgie Axon/Caroline Turner (AUBURN) 6-2
2. Josie Kuhlman/McCartney Kessler (UF) def. Taylor Russo/Alannah Griffin (AUBURN) 7-6 (8-6)
3. Jaeda Daniel/Andie Dikosavljevic (AUBURN) def. Peggy Porter/Katie Kubicz (UF) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (3,1,6,4)