No. 8 women’s tennis takes down rival Alabama 4-3

No. 8 women’s tennis takes down rival Alabama 4-3No. 8 women’s tennis takes down rival Alabama 4-3
Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, Ala. – For the third consecutive season, Auburn has won its annual meeting against rival Alabama. The Tigers downed the Tide by a 4-3 final score to open Southeastern Conference play on Sunday.
 
"The Auburn-Alabama rivalry always makes for a competitive match," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the win. "Credit to Alabama for being very composed and solution-focused. They deserve all the credit for the way they competed throughout the match. We are committed to the process and will learn all we can from today as we navigate the remainder of the season."
 
Auburn got off to a slow start in doubles, as Alabama's Anne Marie Hiser and Loudmilla Bencheikh defeated the Auburn duo of Ariana Arsenault and Carolyn Ansari by a 6-1 score on court one. Ola Pitak and Kasia Pitak then claimed the doubles point for the Crimson Tide on court two by defeating Adeline Flach and Angella Okutoyi 6-3.
 
Singles play began much better for the Tigers, as they claimed the first set in all six matches. Bennett was the first to win her match for Auburn, defeating Klara Milicevic by a 6-4, 6-2 score. The win improved the freshman's dual singles record to 7-5 and was her fifth consecutive singles victory. Okutoyi was not far behind her teammate when she claimed a 6-4, 6-3 victory on court five over Anne Marie Hiser to give Auburn a 2-1 match lead.
 

 
Ansari also won her match in two sets on court two, as she defeated Ola Pitak 6-1, 7-5. Sunday's victory was the senior's ninth straight singles win and the fourth straight to be done in two sets.
 
Needing to win all three remaining matches to claim victory, Alabama won the second set on courts one, three and six to pull the momentum away from the Tigers. Flach claimed the third set over Rebeka Kern on court six and won the match 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to clinch the Auburn team win.
 

 
After the win was claimed, Arseneault and Carnicella dropped their matches 6-7 (2), 6-4, 6-1 and 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (0), respectively.
 
The rivalry win improves the Tiger's record to 11-2 and makes them winners of six straight matches. The loss for Alabama drops their record to 7-6.
 
Auburn will remain at home for their next match, which will be Friday, March 10th at 3pm CT against Ole Miss. Admission to the match at the Yarbrough Tennis Center will be free. Live video and live stats of the match will be available online at AuburnTigers.com. 
 
#8 Auburn 4, #61 Alabama 3
 
Singles results:
1. Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) def. #28 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 6-1
2. #48 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) def. Ola Pitak (UA) 6-1, 7-5
3. Anna Parkhomenko (UA) def. #120 Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-0)
4. DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Klara Milicevic (UA) 6-4, 6-2
5. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Anne Marie Hiser (UA) 6-4, 6-3
6. Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Rebeka Kern (UA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
 
Doubles results:
1. Anne Marie Hiser/Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) def. #21 Ariana Arseneault/Carolyn Ansari (AUB) 6-1
2. Ola Pitak/Kasia Pitak (UA) def. Adeline Flach/Angella Okutoyi (AUB) 6-3
3. DJ Bennett/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) vs. Anna Parkhomenko/Klara Milicevic (UA) 5-2, unfinished
 
Time of match: 3:20 Order of finish: Doubles: 1,2; Singles: 4,5,2,6,1,3 Official: Donna Jerome