NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 21st-ranked Auburn women's team pushed 10th-ranked Vanderbilt to the brink, but the Tigers came up just short in a 4-3 loss Friday afternoon at the Currey Tennis Center.
The Tigers (7-2, 2-1 SEC) tried to climb their way back into the match after dropping the doubles point for the third time in league play, but Auburn was unable to pick up that fourth singles win to put them over the top.
"Today was an absolute battle," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "At times we played ourselves and our opponents as we became too focused on problems instead of using our energy to seek and find solutions. We work too hard on a daily basis not to enjoy competing.
"As a coaching staff, we need to do a better job of helping each of our student-athletes embrace adversity and find their joy in competing. The fight was unparalleled, it always is with this group. We just need to remember to have perspective. Tomorrow is another day, another opportunity, and another gift."
Vanderbilt took an early 1-0 lead, claiming the doubles point. Auburn's Georgie Axon and Adeline Flach dropped a 6-0 decision at No. 2, then the 11th-ranked tandem of Selin Ovunc and Taylor Russo knotted things in doubles with a 6-4 win on court one. But the Tigers' No. 3 team of Carolyn Ansari and Madeline Meredith came up just short, 6-4, to put Vandy ahead early. It would then be 2-0 Commodores as Ansari could not hold onto an early lead in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 setback to Anna Ross.
But Auburn, as it has all year, bounced back to tie the score at 2-2. Ovunc got her first win in SEC play at the top singles spot with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win over Emma Kurtz, and Russo claimed a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory at court five.
The teams would trade the next two points. Vandy went ahead 3-2 as Yu Chen's comeback bid came up short in a 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4 loss at No. 2 singles, but Auburn knotted the score again as Axon won on court four, 5-7, 7-6 (1), 6-0. The Commodores, however, would clinch the win on court six as Flach came up short in a 6-2, 6-0 defeat to Marcella Cruz.
The Tigers wrap up the two-match road swing Sunday at Kentucky. Match time is 11 a.m. CT; live scoring is available at UKAthletics.com.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
#10 Vanderbilt 4, #21 Auburn 3
Singles
1. #62 Selin Ovunc (AU) def. Emma Kurtz (VU), 6-3, 7-6 (3)
2. #20 Christina Rosca (VU) def. Yu Chen (AU), 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4
3. Anna Ross (VU) def. Carolyn Ansari (AU), 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
4. Georgie Axon (AU) def. Anessa Lee (VU), 5-7, 7-6 (1), 5-0
5. #99 Taylor Russo (AU) def. Holly Staff (VU), 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
6. Marcella Cruz (VU) def. Adeline Flach (AU), 6-2, 6-0
Order of finish: 3, 1, 5, 2, 4, 6
Doubles
1. #11 Ovunc/Russo (AU) def. Ross/Staff (VU), 6-4
2. Kurtz/Cruz (VU) def. Axon/Flach (AU), 6-0
3. Rosca/Lee (VU) def. Ansari/Meredith (AU), 6-4
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3
