CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Auburn women's tennis team finished off their weekend at the ITA Kick-Off on a high note, defeating Columbia 4-2 Saturday evening in the consolation match.
The Tigers (3-1) overcame dropping the doubles point with four wins in singles to clinch their third victory of the season.
"Our grit and competitiveness in singles was unwavering," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "I am so proud of the girls and how hard they fought. Columbia never went away, and when the pressure was on, we remained solution-focused. The energy is what Hadley (Berg) and I have been asking them for, and they certainly brought it today."
After Columbia took a 1-0 lead with the doubles point, Auburn knotted things up as freshman Carolyn Ansari won 6-3, 6-1 over Michelle Xu on court five. The Tigers made it 2-1 as senior Georgie Axon finished off a 6-3, 6-2 win on court four over Christie Wan.
Columbia fought back to tie it up 2-2 as Auburn's Yu Chen fell to Jennifer Kerr, 6-3, 7-5. But the Tigers would answer quickly as Taylor Russo, ranked 79th nationally and playing in the top spot, defeated No. 65 Akanksha Bhan, 6-3, 7-5.
Auburn clinched the victory as Madeline Meredith went the distance for a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 win over Shivani Amineni at the No. 6 spot. Selin Ovunc was in a third set on court two when play was halted.
In doubles, Russo and Ovunc earned a 6-2 win at the No. 1 spot, but Axon and Meredith fell 6-2 at the second position and Ansari and Chen dropped a 7-5 decision on court three.
The spring season continues with three matches next weekend at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Auburn plays a doubleheader against Georgia State and Alabama A&M Saturday with matches beginning at noon and 3 p.m., respectively. The Tigers will then return to action Sunday morning with a 10 a.m. match against Memphis. Admission is free to all home Auburn tennis matches.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Auburn 4, Columbia 2
Doubles
1. #9 Russo/Ovunc (AU) def. Wan/Sakar (CU), 6-2
2. Bhan/Ferrari (CU) def. #59 Meredith/Axon (AU), 6-2
3. Xu/Haynes (CU) def. Ansari/Chen (AU), 7-5
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles
1. #79 Taylor Russo (AU) def. #65 Akanksha Bhan (CU), 6-3, 7-5
2. Selin Ovunc (AU) vs. Melissa Sakar (CU), 7-5, 5-7 unfinished
3. Jennifer Kerr (CU) def. #123 Yu Chen (AU), 6-3, 7-5
4. Georgie Axon (AU) def. Christie Wan (CU), 6-3, 6-1
5. Carolyn Ansari (AU) def. Michelle Xu (CU), 6-3, 6-1
6. Madeline Meredith (AU) vs. Shivani Amineni (CU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-1
Order of finish: 5, 4, 3, 1, 6