May 11, 2018
ATLANTA, Ga. - The No. 20 Auburn women's tennis team bowed out of the first round of the NCAA Championship on Friday, losing to Winthrop 4-3 in the final set at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex in Atlanta, Ga.
Auburn took early control of the match by taking the doubles point. The duo of Madeline Meredith and Taylor Russo moved to 7-4 together on the season by claiming the first set with a 6-2 win over Winthrop's Tayla Van Eck and Alisa Soloveva on court two. Soon after, the tandem of Georgie Axon and Caroline Turner clinched the point for the Tigers with a 6-3 win over Winthrop's Ellie Burns and Aida Kelic on court three.
In singles, Winthrop clawed their way back on top. No. 37 Lauren Proctor got things started for the Eagles with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Auburn's No. 98 Alizee Michaud on court one. Alisa Soloveva then put the Eagles up 2-1 with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Auburn's No. 56 Jaeda Daniel on court two.
Auburn responded to Winthrop's flurry, however, by evening the score once again with a 6-3, 6-3 win from Madeline Meredith over Winthrop's Tayla Van Eck on court four. Senior Andie Dikosavljevic followed that by putting the Tigers on top yet again with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Winthrop's Megan Kauffman on court three.
Despite Auburn's momentum shift, Winthrop fought back as Ellie Burns knotted things up once again by defeating Auburn's Georgie Axon 6-2, 6-2 on court six.
With the match tied at 3 a piece, it was only natural that the remaining court would require a third set. As such, the final set came down to the wire. After going back and forth throughout the set, Winthrop's Aida Kelic emerged victorious, defeating Auburn's Taylor Russo 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 on court five.
Despite the loss, freshman Madeline Meredith improved her singles record to 20-11 on the season. Senior Andie Dikosavljevic finished her last singles season of her career at a mark of 13-5 as well.
Auburn's season will conclude at a mark of 20-11 overall and 8-5 in SEC play. The only remaining action for any Tiger this season will be when No. 56 Jaeda Daniel competes in the NCAA Singles Championship on May 23 at the Wake Forest Tennis Complex in Winston-Salem, N.C. Further details regarding Daniel's draw and match time will be announced at a later time.
Winthrop 4, #20 Auburn 3
Singles
1. #37 Lauren Proctor (WINTHROP) def. #98 Alizee Michaud (AUBURN) 6-3, 6-2
2. Alisa Soloveva (WINTHROP) def. #56 Jaeda Daniel (AUBURN) 6-3, 6-2
3. Andie Dikosavljevic (AUBURN) def. Megan Kauffman (WINTHROP) 6-3, 6-4
4. Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) def. Tayla Van Eck (WINTHROP) 6-3, 6-3
5. Aida Kelic, (WINTHROP) def. Taylor Russo (AUBURN) 2-6, 6-4, 7-5
6. Ellie Burns, (WINTHROP) def. Georgie Axon (AUBURN) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Alizee Michaud/Jaeda Daniel (AUBURN) vs. #23 Lauren Proctor/Megan Kauffman (WINTHROP) 4-5, unfinished
2. Taylor Russo/Madeline Meredith (AUBURN) def. Alisa Soloveva/Tayla Van Eck (WINTHROP) 6-2
3. Georgie Axon/Caroline Turner (AUBURN) def. Aida Kelic/Ellie Burns (WINTHROP) 6-3
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3); Singles (1,2,4,3,6,5)