AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn women's tennis had an impressive day at both the Kitty Harrison Invitational and the Debbie Southern Fall Classic on Saturday. Auburn players claimed three singles matches and three doubles matches played during day two of each event.
Selin Ovunc's 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory over Vanderbilt's Valeria Ray earned her a spot in the championship match for her singles draw in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ovunc and Kaitlyn Karnicella will play in the championship match of their doubles draw in the same event after defeating Duke's Emma Jackson and Karolina Berakova, the 48th ranked doubles team in the country, by an 8-6 score.
Auburn freshman Ava Esposito Cogan also picked up her first career doubles win as she and Clemson's Jenna Thompson took down the Penn State duo of Olivia Dorner and Yvonne Zuffova 8-4.
"Fall tennis is really about development and growth," Auburn associate head coach Megan Falcon said after the second day came to a close in Chapel Hill. "Each tournament is full of opportunities. I am proud of the way we responded and rebounded today in both doubles and singles. We are looking forward to our last day."
In Greenville at the Debbie Southern Fall Classic, Ali DeSpain and Adeline Flach recorded their second doubles consecutive doubles win of the tournament with an 8-6 victory over Kate Sharabura and Ruth Marsh of Georgia Tech. Flach also recorded a 6-3, 6-0 singles victory over Sophia Hatton from Clemson.
"Another day of growth in doubles, managing our moments with poise and certainty," Auburn assistant coach Mat Iandolo said after play concluded in Greenville. "Synergy is paramount in effective partnerships. In singles, we earned opportunities, sometimes capitalizing well and other wavering from our game plan."
On Sunday in Chapel Hill, Ovunc and Kaitlyn Carnicella will play for the championship title in their draw against Carson Tanguilig and Anika Yarlagadda of North Carolina at 8 a.m. CT before Ovunc will face North Carolina's 5th ranked Reese Brantmeier in the championship match of her draw at 9:15 a.m. CT. Ava Esposito Cogan will play Duke's Karolina Berankova and Carnicella will face Lucia Aranda of Charolette at 10:15 a.m. CT. Esposito Cogan and Thompson will face Bente Spee and Sophie Williams at 8 a.m. CT.
The final day in Greenville will feature singles matches between Flach and Sara Snyder as well as DeSpain and Macy Hitchcock. Both Snyder and Hitchcock are playing for host school Furman
Sunday's results from both the Kitty Harrison Invitational and the Debbie Southern Fall Classic will be available following play at AuburnTigers.com.
Kitty Harrison Invitational
Saturday Results:
Selin Ovunc/Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Emma Jackson/Karolina Berakova (DUKE) 8-6
Selin Ovunc (AUB) def. Valeria Ray (VAN) 6-1, 7-6 (3)
Amy Stevens (VAN) def. Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) 6-4, 6-4
Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. Ruxi Schech (CHAR) 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-0
Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB)/Jenna Thompson (CLEM) def. Olivia Dorner/Yvonne Zuffova (PSU) 8-4
Debbie Southern Fall Classic
Saturday Results:
Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Sophia Hatton (CLEM) 6-3, 6-0
Adeline Flach/Ali DeSpain (AUB) def. Kate Sharabura/Ruth Marsh (GT) 8-6
Ruth Marsh (GT) def. Ali DeSpain (AUB) 7-5, 6-4