Indian Wells, Calif. - During the first day of the Duel in the Desert, Auburn was able to claim two doubles victories and one singles victory in Friday's matchup against Georgia.
Freshman Angella Okutoyi recieved her first collegiate win in doubles play alongside partner Ariana Arseneault over Georgia's Ania Hertel and Dasha Vidmanova by a 7-5 score. The Auburn duo of Anastasia Astakhova and Adeline Flach, the No. 33 doubles team in the country according to the ITA, took down Anastasiia Lopata and Haley Gaudette 6-3.
In singles play, Auburn freshman Kaitlyn Carnicella defeated Mai Nirundorn 6-1, 6-4.
"Georgia made us better today and the level was exceptionally high for January," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the match. "As we progress through the tournament, we will continue to treat ourselves in ways that allow us to play our best tennis at the end of matches. Capitalizing on windows of opportunity requires experience, something we gain through competing."
The Tigers split Friday's doubles matches with the Bulldogs at two each while Georgia took six of the seven doubles matches played.
On Saturday, Auburn will be back in action on the West Coast beginning at 2:45 p.m. CT against Texas Tech. Results from Saturday's matches will be posted to AuburnTigers.com at the conclusion of play.
Friday singles match results:
Mell Reasco def. Ariana Arseneault 6-3, 3-6, 7-5
Dasha Vidmanova def. Carolyn Ansari 7-5, 6-3
Meg Kowalski def. Angella Okutoyi 5-7, 6-0, 7-5
Kaitlyn Carnicella def. Mai Nirundorn 6-1, 6-4
Ania Hertel def. Adeline Flach 6-2, 6-2
Guillermina Grant def. Ali Despain 6-4, 6-4
Anastasiia Lopata def. Anastasia Astakhova 6-2, 6-3
Friday doubles matches results:
Ariana Arseneault/Angella Okutoyi def. Ania Hertel/Dasha Vidmanova 7-5
Guillermina Grant/Mai Nirundorn over Ali Despain/Carolyn Ansari 6-3
Mell Reasco/Meg Kowalski over DJ Bennett/Kaitlyn Carnicella 7-5
Anastasia Astakhova/Adeline Flach over Anastasiia Lopata/Haley Gaudette 6-3