JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – No. 5 Auburn finished its non-conference schedule with a road win on Saturday afternoon over North Florida by a 4-3 final score. The win marks the Tigers' fifth consecutive match victory.
"The start of our match was a big improvement from last weekend," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the close victory. "However, we chose not to build on the momentum with consistent physical or emotional investment from each player. We were conditionally competitive and that resulted in us not executing the way we are capable of. The quality of our preparation, and the mental fortitude to persevere, is built on the practice court. We are looking forward to a very competitive and physical week ahead."
Auburn opened very strong in doubles play, as the freshman duo of DJ Bennett and Kaitlyn Carnicella shut out Kendall Nash and Megan Forster 6-0 on court three and claimed their sixth dual doubles victory of the season, which leads the team. Shortly after the win on court three, Adeline Flach and Angella Okutoyi claimed a 6-2 victory over Isabel Oliverira and Jasmin Makela on court two to give Auburn the doubles point. No. 21 Carolyn Ansari and Ariana Arseneault were leading Kit Guliher and Ana Paula Melilo, the 43rd ranked doubles team in the country, by a 5-3 score when the match was suspended.
Flach set the tone for the Tigers once singles play began by defeating Kendall Nash 6-1, 6-3 on court six to claim the first match in singles. Ansari, who is ranked 48th in singles nationally, also won her match in two sets on court two as she defeated Megan Forster by a 6-3, 6-3 score. Ansari has now claimed eight consecutive victories on the singles courts and boasts the most dual singles wins on the team with eight.
North Florida's Kit Guliher, who has had an excellent season for the Ospreys, upset No. 28 Ariana Arseneault on court one in a 6-3, 6-3 win. The win improved Guiliher's dual singles record to 7-1 for the season. The win on court one along with North Florida's Isabel Oliveira forcing her match with Bennett to a third set on court four started to turn the momentum in the Ospreys direction.
However, Bennett took the third set 6-2 to clinch the match victory for the Tigers by winning 6-2, 2-6, 6-2. With the team win secured and a 4-1 Auburn lead, Angella Okutoyi and Kaitlyn Carnicella each fell in their match in three sets on courts five and three, respectively, to narrow the margin of victory to one.
Saturday's win draws Auburn's non-conference schedule to a close as the Tigers will welcome rival Alabama to the Plains on Sunday, March 5th at noon. Auburn completed their non-conference with a 10-2 record and four wins over ranked opponents.
#5 Auburn 4, North Florida 3
Singles Results:
1. Kit Gulihur (UNF) def. #28 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 6-3, 6-3
2. #48 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) def. Megan Forster (UNF) 6-3, 6-3
3. Annabelle Davis (UNF) def. #120 Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5)
4. DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Isabel Oliveira (UNF) 6-2, 2-6, 6-2
5. Ana Paula Melilo (UNF) def. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
6. Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Kendall Nash (UNF) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles Results:
1. #43 Kit Gulihur/Ana Paula Melilo (UNF) vs. #21 Carolyn Ansari/Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 3-5, unfinished
2. Adeline Flach/Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Isabel Oliveira/Jasmin Makela (UNF) 6-2
3. Kaitlyn Carnicella/DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Kendall Nash/Megan Forster (UNF) 6-0
Time of the match: 3:16 Order of finish: Doubles: 3,2; Singles: 6,2,1,4,5,3