Women’s tennis to kick off spring season at the Duel in the Desert

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Grace Schinsing / Auburn Athletics

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Auburn women's tennis is set to begin their spring schedule on the West Coast this weekend at the Duel in the Desert this Friday through Sunday in Indian Wells, California.
 
The Tigers, who are ranked as the 15th best team in the country according to the ITA, will take part in hidden duels with student-athletes from Georgia, Texas Tech and host school Kansas. Georgia is tied for No. 8 in the ITA preseason poll while Texas Tech and Kansas were both unable to crack the top 25 but each did receive votes.
 
Auburn's full roster will participate in this weekend's tournament including two newcomers that joined the team this month. Freshman Angella Okutoyi will be making her collegiate tennis debut while graduate transfer Ali DeSpain will be making her debut in an Auburn uniform.
 
In addition to being ranked 15th in the ITA preseason rankings, the Tigers were also chosen to finish fourth in the conference in the SEC coaches' preseason poll that was announced earlier in the week.
 
Matches are scheduled to begin at 2:45 p.m. CT on Friday and Saturday and 12:45 p.m. CT on Sunday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The match results will be posted at the conclusion of play each day on AuburnTigers.com.