AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn's three freshman singles victories turned out to be crucial in their 4-2 win over the University of California at Santa Barbara on Saturday at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The win has moved the Tigers into the championship match of ITA Kickoff Weekend, where the winner will earn a spot at the 2023 ITA Indoor Championship in Seattle, Washington.
"Choosing to remain committed to the process means when facing adversity one can remain composed," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the win. "When we focus on what we can control, solutions exist to be found. We are looking forward to embracing the competitive opportunity tomorrow as we pursue incremental improvements."
Auburn began doubles with a one match advantage, as Kaitlyn Carnicella and DJ Bennett won their doubles match by walkover. On court one, Ariana Arseneault and Carolyn Ansari fought back from dropping the first three games to Kira Reuter and Amelia Honer to make it 3-2. However, they would ultimately lose their match 6-2 for their first dual loss as a doubles team this season and just their second doubles loss overall dating back to the fall. Adeline Flach and Angella Okutoyi also dropped their match and the doubles point went to UCSB.
The Tigers also began singles with an advantage, as Adeline Flach won her match by walkover on court six to make the team match score 1-1. Auburn got off to a hot start with three quick first set wins for Carnicella, Okutoyi and Ansari.
Carnicella claimed her third straight singles victory for the Tigers, as she defeated Valentina Khrebtova in two sets by a 6-2, 6-3 score. Okutoyi finished just before Carnicella, winning her match in two sets 6-2, 6-1 over Marta Gonzalez Ballbe.
With the Tigers up 3-2 in the match, DJ Bennett clinched the match for the Orange and Blue. UCSB's Kira Reuter took the first set from Bennett, but the Bellview, Florida native won the next two sets to win her match 2-6, 6-2, 6-2. Carolyn Ansari's match with Camille Kiss was in a third set when it was suspended.
Additionally, Auburn's Ali DeSpain defeated Arizona State's Rachel Hanford in an exhibition match by a 6-2, 1-0 (5) score.
Up next, Auburn will face No. 23 UCF in the championship match of the ITA Kickoff Weekend on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. CT. The match will be played at the Yarbrough Tennis Center and live stats will be available on AuburnTigers.com.
#15 Auburn University 4, UCSB 2
Singles Results
#49 Honer,Amelia (UCSB) def. #43 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 6-3, 6-1
#71 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) vs. Kiss,Camille (UCSB) 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 2-0, unfinished
#78 DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Reuter,Kira (UCSB) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2
Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Khrebtova,Valentina (UCSB) 6-2, 6-3
Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Gonzalez-Ballbe,M (UCSB) 6-2, 6-1
Adeline Flach (AUB) wins by walkover
Doubles Results
Reuter,Kira/Honer,Amelia (UCSB) def. #10 Ariana Arseneault/Carolyn Ansari (AUB) 6-2
Kiss,Camille/Gonzalez-Ballbe,M (UCSB) def. Angella Okutoyi/Adeline Flach (AUB) 6-3
DJ Bennett/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) wins by walkover
Time of match: 2:33; Doubles 3,1,2; Singles 6,5,4,1,3