NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Auburn's two women's tennis players competing at the ITA Fall National Championships bounced back with a pair of victories Thursday at the Newport Beach Tennis Club.
Freshman Selin Ovunc earned a win in the singles consolation draw, and Ovunc and senior Taylor Russo teamed up to earn a consolation doubles victory.
"Our tennis wasn't always pretty today," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "So long as we choose to be great in the areas we can control, regardless of how we are playing, we will improve as the match progresses. Selin and Taylor showed grit today, a resilience that makes up a sound foundation to build on. We are excited for more opportunities tomorrow."
Ovunc picked up her first collegiate win over a nationally-ranked opponent, defeating No. 89 Kaitlin Staines of Tennessee, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, to move on to the consolation round of 16. She will face No. 68 Mariia Kozyreva of St. Mary's on Friday.
In doubles, Ovunc and Russo moved through to the consolation quarterfinals with a 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (9) win over UNLV's team of Izumi Asano and En-Pei Huang. They will take on another SEC tandem in South Carolina's Silva Chinatello and Emma Shelton.
Play also gets underway Friday at the FSU All-Conference Showdown in Tallahassee, Fla. Sophomore Yu Chen and junior Lindsay Song will compete in both singles and doubles in the three-day event.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Auburn Women's Tennis Results – Thursday, Nov. 7
ITA Fall National Championships
Singles
Selin Ovunc (AU) def. #89 Kaitlin Staines (TENN), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
Ovunc/Russo (AU) def. Asano/Huang (UNLV), 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (9)