AUBURN, Ala. – The 14th-ranked Auburn women's tennis team wasted little time moving on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, taking down Jackson State 5-0 on a breezy Friday afternoon at the Yarbrough Tennis Center.
Auburn (21-5) claimed the doubles point in decisive fashion, then won four singles matches in straight sets to advance to the round of 32 for the second straight season.
The Tigers will take on Georgia Tech (15-10) in the next round; that match is set for a noon CT start Saturday. Tech defeated Memphis 4-1 in Saturday's first match.
"An eventful start to the weekend for us here at home," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "The forecast cleared overnight so we were able to play outside in some challenging, windy conditions. We competed with the same composure and courage that have become our defining characteristics.
"Our edge is rooted in the way we prepare and the standard we choose to hold ourselves to on the most mundane days. Tomorrow is a great opportunity for us to pursue growth just like we have all year."
Auburn got off to a quick start in doubles with wins on courts 1 and 2. Georgie Axon and Adeline Flach started things off with a 6-0 win at the No. 2 position. Selin Ovunc and Ariana Arseneault, the nation's ninth-ranked duo, clinched the first point for Auburn, winning 6-1. Madeline Meredith and Carolyn Ansari were leading 4-2 when play was halted.
Ansari, ranked No. 114, got the Tigers on the board in singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Tyra-Nicole White on at the No. 3 position. It would be 3-0 Auburn after Flach finished off a 6-1, 6-2 win over Natalya Ogunwale on court six.
No. 75 Arseneault provided the clinching point at the second singles spot with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Paula Arcarons. Just seconds later, and before the match could be halted, Yu Chen finished off a 6-0, 6-2 win over Zeina Shabaan on court five to give Auburn a fifth team point.
Ovunc won her first set 6-0 and was even at 5-5 in the second set, and Axon led 6-3, 3-2 in the second set when the match was clinched.
With strong storms in the forecast all week, the four competing teams were expecting to play indoors Friday. However, rain moved through the Auburn area early Friday morning, and staff from Auburn Athletics and the City of Auburn were able to dry the outdoor courts in time for a 10:30 a.m. start to the day's first match.
Admission is free for Saturday's NCAA Second Round match at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The Kona Ice truck will be on site for fans.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
#14 Auburn 5, Jackson State 0
Singles
1. #34 Selin Ovunc (AU) vs. Sherine Salem (JSU), 6-0, 5-5 unfinished
2. #75 Ariana Arseneault (AU) def. Paula Arcarons (JSU), 6-2, 6-3
3. #114 Carolyn Ansari (AU) def. Tyra-Nicole White (JSU), 6-0, 6-0
4. Georgie Axon (AU) vs. Daniela Ramos (JSU), 6-3, 3-2 unfinished
5. Yu Chen (AU) def. Zeina Shabaan (JSU), 6-0, 6-2
6. Adeline Flach (AU) def. Natalya Ogunwale (JSU), 6-1, 6-2
Order of finish: 3, 6, 2, 5
Doubles
1. #9 Ovunc/Arseneault (AU) def. Salem/Arcaron (JSU), 6-1
2. Axon/Flach (AU) def. White/Ramos (JSU), 6-0
3. Ansari/Meredith (AU) vs. Shabaan/Ogunwale (JSU), 4-2 unfinished
Order of finish: 2, 1
