NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 13 Auburn defeated No. 37 Vanderbilt by a 5-2 score in Nashville on Sunday. The Tigers claimed both of their road matches over the weekend, as they also took down No. 51 Kentucky on Friday.
"Chasing growth by playing the right way and trusting the process is a foundation that allows a team to improve throughout a season," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said after the win. "Opportunities earned are the result of how we treat ourselves. A complete team effort today in Nashville. Composed, gritty, courageous and our style from start to finish."
Auburn got off to a great start in the match during doubles play. The Tigers' top doubles team of Ariana Arseneault and Carolyn Ansari, the 20th ranked doubles team in the nation, were the first to finish their match by defeating Anna Ross and Holly Staff 6-3 for their ninth dual doubles win of the season.
The freshman doubles team of Kaitlyn Carnicella and DJ Bennett were not far behind their teammates with their 6-4 victory over Anessa Lee and Bridget Stammel to claim the doubles point for Auburn.
In singles play, Vanderbilt's top singles player, No. 46 Celia-Belle Mohr picked up a win over Ansari to tie the match. Angella Okutoyi helped Auburn regain the lead after finishing up a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win over Mercella Cruz on court five.
Bennett continued her success on the singles court by defeating Staff 6-3, 6-3 for her fourth consecutive singles victory. Arseneault also claimed her fourth consecutive singles win after coming back to defeat 82nd ranked Bridget Stammel 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to seal the team victory for the Tigers.
After the team victory was decided, junior Adeline Flach finished her three-set victory over Amy Stevens on court six by a 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-2 final score.
The 5-2 win improves Auburn's record to 16-5 overall and 6-3 in conference play. With the loss, Vanderbilt drops to 11-9 for the season and 4-6 in conference play.
The Tigers will remain on the road for their next matchup, which will be against No. 54 Arkansas on Friday.
#13 Auburn 5, #37 Vanderbilt 2
Singles results:
1. #46 Celia-Belle Mohr (VANDY-W) def. #32 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) 6-0, 6-4
2. #50 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. #82 Bridget Stammel (VANDY-W) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
3. DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Holly Staff (VANDY-W) 6-3, 6-3
4. Anessa Lee (VANDY-W) def. Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) 2-6, 6-4, 6-2
5. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Marcella Cruz (VANDY-W) 6-1, 6-0
6. Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Amy Stevens (VANDY-W) 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-2
Doubles results:
1. #20 Carolyn Ansari/Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. Anna Ross/Holly Staff (VANDY-W) 6-3
2. #58 Marcella Cruz/Celia-Belle Mohr (VANDY-W) vs. #80 Adeline Flach/Angella Okutoyi (AUB) 6-5, unfinished
3. DJ Bennett/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Anessa Lee/Bridget Stammel (VANDY-W) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles: 1,3; Singles: 1,5,3,2,4,6