April 13, 2018
AUBURN, Ala. - The No. 20 Auburn women's tennis team took home a big win on Senior Day, defeating No. 32 Texas A&M 4-2 on Friday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
"The seniors came through big time. They were huge today," said Auburn coach Lauren Spencer. "Every single court fought and stayed together as a team. Texas A&M played a tough match, and they made us earn every point. You could feel they were fighting from one to six. They worked together as a team rather than individuals, so I'm really proud of them."
Texas A&M got off to a good start in doubles. The No. 65 tandem of Eva Paalma and Domenica Gonzalez took the first doubles set with a 6-2 win over Auburn's Alizee Michaud and Taylor Russo on court one. The Aggies then clinched the point with a 6-3 win from Tatiana Makarova and Macarena Olivares over Auburn's Andie Dikosavljevic and Alannah Griffin on court two.
Despite losing the point, Auburn's Jaeda Daniel and Madleine Meredith were one point away from winning their set as they led Texas A&M's Riley McQuaid and Dothea Faa-Hviding 5-4 and were ahead 40-15 in the game on court three.
Singles action was where the match started to go back and forth. Auburn's Madeline Meredith earned the Tigers' first singles point with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Texas A&M's Riley McQuaid on court four. Texas A&M soon climbed back on top, however, with a 6-4, 6-4 win from No. 93 Macarena Olivares over Auburn's No. 47 Jaeda Daniel.
Auburn's No. 109 Alizee Michaud evened the match once again with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Texas A&M's Domenica Gonzalez. Sophomore Taylor Russo followed that by giving the Tigers their first lead of the day with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Texas A&M's Tatiana Makarova on court five. Riding the momentum, Georgie Axon clinched the match for the Tigers with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Texas A&M's Dorthea Faa-Hviding on court six.
"It was a grind the whole way through," said senior Andie Dikosavljevic. "I think it was so sweet because Texas A&M gave their all. It's fantastic to win on Senior Weekend. I think today really demonstrates the grit we have and what our team is all about. This was a really exciting win."
Auburn is now 19-9 on the season and 7-5 in SEC play. The Tigers' next action will be hosting the regular season finale against No. 39 LSU at noon on Sunday, April 15, at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
#20 Auburn 4, #32 Texas A&M 2
Singles
1. #109 Alizee Michaud (AUBURN) def. Domenica Gonzalez (A&M) 6-4, 6-2
2. #93 Macarena Olivares (A&M) def. #47 Jaeda Daniel (AUBURN) 6-4, 6-4
3. Andie Dikosavljevic (AUBURN) vs. Eva Paalma (A&M) 6-3, 4-6, 4-2, unfinished
4. Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) def. Riley McQuaid (A&M) 6-3, 6-4
5. Taylor Russo (AUBURN) def. Tatiana Makarova (A&M) 1-6, 6-3, 6-3
6. Georgie Axon (AUBURN) def. Dorthea Faa-Hviding (A&M) 7-5, 7-5
Doubles
1. #65 Eva Paalma/Domenica Gonzalez (A&M) def. Alizee Michaud/Taylor Russo (AUBURN) 6-2
2. Tatiana Makarova/Macarena Olivares (A&M) def. Andie Dikosavljevic/Alannah Griffin (AUBURN) 6-3
3. Jaeda Daniel/Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) vs. Riley McQuaid/Dorthea Faa-Hviding (A&M) 5-4, unfinished
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (4,2,1,5,6)