AUBURN, Ala. – No. 15 Auburn women's tennis kicked off their dual match schedule with a 5-2 victory on Friday afternoon over No. 22 Iowa State at home.
"Our unshakeable composure made all the difference today," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the win. "When our opponents responded, we remained resolute in enjoying the process. The positive internal dialogue allowed us to play better as the match went on. The Iowa State staff has built an incredible program in Ames. To open our dual match season against an opponent of the highest quality will make us better as we buy into long-term growth."
The veteran Auburn doubles team of Ariana Arseneault and Carolyn Ansari, the 10th ranked doubles team in the nation according to the ITA, set the tone early and defeated Iowa State's No. 17 doubles team of Ange Oby Kajuru and Chie Kezuka 6-1.
Auburn's freshman duo of DJ Bennett and Kaitlyn Carnicella won their match over Miska Kadleckova and Sofia Cabezas 6-3 to clinch the doubles point for Auburn shortly after.
Once singles play began, Arseneault, who is ranked 43rd in the country in singles, set the tone quickly with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over No. 57 Naklo to get Auburn their first singles win of the afternoon.
Two of the Auburn freshman ended up being the deciding factors in the match for the Tigers. Angella Okutoyi recorded her first singles win as an Auburn Tiger over Sofia Cabezas by a 6-3, 6-1 score while DJ Bennett clinched the match by defeating Anna Supapitch Kuearum 6-2, 6-3.
After the match was clinched by Auburn, Adeline Flach continued to play on court six and pulled out a close win in a back in fourth match with Chie Kezuka 7-5, 5-7, 1-0 (8).
Up next, the Tigers will stay in town to host No. 2 North Carolina and Samford in a doubleheader on Sunday. Auburn's match against the Tarheels will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT followed by their match against the Bulldogs at 4:00 p.m. CT. Admission to both matches at the Yarbrough Tennis Center (1717 Richland Road) will be free.
#15 Auburn 5, #22 Iowa State 2
Singles
#43 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. #57 Thasaporn Naklo (ISU) 6-1, 6-2
Ange Oby Kajuru (ISU) def. #71 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) 6-2, 6-2
#78 DJ Bennett (AUB) def. #80 Anna Supapitch Kuearum (ISU) 6-2, 6-3
Miska Kadleckova (ISU) def. Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) 6-4, 6-7 (9), 1-0 (7)
Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. #114 Sofia Cabezas (ISU) 6-3, 6-1
Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Chie Kezuka (ISU) 7-5, 5-7, 1-0 (8)
Doubles
#10 Ariana Arseneault/Carolyn Ansari (AUB) def. #17 Ange Oby Kajuru/Chie Kezuka (ISU) 6-1
Adeline Flach/Angella Okutoyi (AUB) v Anna Supapitch Kuearum/Thasaporn Naklo (ISU) 5-4, unfinished
DJ Bennett/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Miska Kadleckova/Sofia Cabezas (ISU) 6-3
Time of match: 3:05; Order of finish: Doubles: 1,3; Singles: 1,2,5,3,4,6; Official: Donna Jerome