AUBURN, Ala. – After starting the 2023 season with two strong home wins, the No. 25 Tigers look to improve their record to 3-0 in a midweek battle with in-state foe Samford University at Auburn's Yarbrough Tennis Center at 2:00 p.m. CT. Auburn earned both of their wins on Sunday afternoon as the Tigers defeated Michigan State 4-3 before shutting out Alabama State 7-0.
"I think we made way too many unforced errors, and I give credit to Michigan State," Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds said about things his team could improve after the first two matches. "They came in after losing on Friday and they swung a little more freely than we did. A common theme throughout all of the singles matches was that we would get a break of serve and go up that break, but then we would give it right back. That is an emotional and a mental letdown at a period of the match that can't happen if you want to be a top team."
The Samford Bulldogs will come to the Plains on Thursday afternoon 0-1, as they were blanked by Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday to open their season.
"This Samford match gives us another opportunity to play at home," said Reynolds. "I must thank the fans who came out on Sunday morning and Sunday afternoon- the stands were packed. That gave us a lot of energy and the guys fed off that. Thursday will be another opportunity to shake off some rust and figure out how each guy wants to play the match instead of just going out and hitting balls. I look for more of a game plan out of each individual guy. It's another chance to compete and to grow."
Jan Galka will be one of the key players to watch in orange and blue on Thursday after a very impressive performance in both matches on Sunday. The Warsaw, Poland native began his senior season with a bang as he won all four matches that he was a part of. Galka won both doubles matches with different partners, as he was paired with freshman Billy Blaydes in the first match and then was paired with freshman Alejandro Moreno in the second match. In singles, Galka defeated Kazuki Matsuno from Michigan State 6-3, 6-3 and Alabama State's Matis Amier 6-2, 6-2.
Admission will be free to watch Thursday's home match at the Yarbrough Tennis Center indoor courts located at 1717 Richland Road in Auburn, Alabama. Live scoring for the match will be available on AuburnTigers.com.