TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Auburn freshman Ava Esposito Cogan won her singles draw at the Roberta Alison Fall Classic in Tuscaloosa over the weekend. Adeline Flach and Ali DeSpain also claimed singles wins at the event.
"Tennis can be a cruel sport," said Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley. "So many different factors are at play, so many things that are not within the control of the player. When we choose to become lost in the details, immersing ourselves in the incremental improvements, the cruelty becomes something we embrace. Composure only comes to those who pursue it."
Cogan began the tournament on Friday with a straight set victory over Samford's Alexis Lopez in the opening round of singles, then took down Brianna Crowley of Ole Miss 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 in the second round.
After dropping her first round match, Flach bounced back with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory over South Alabama's Nikola Novotna to claim her second singles win of the season on Friday.
On Saturday, Cogan claimed her draw with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over Elysia Pool of South Alabama in the finals. The freshman's three singles victories during the weekend improves her singles record to 4-6 this fall. Cogan also teamed up with Flach to earn a doubles victory over Ava Hrastar and Rachel Krzyzak of Ole Miss 6-2.
Ali DeSpain also picked up a singles win on Saturday, as she defeated Chattanooga's Rozalie Dohnalova 7-5, 7-5.
Auburn will have players in the ITA Fall National Championships on November 1-5 in San Diego, California.
Friday Results:
Elysia Pool/Tereza Dejnozkova (USA) def. Adeline Flach/ Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) 6-4
Marguax Maquet (ALA) def. Adeline Flach (AUB) 6-2, 6-3
Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Alexis Lopez (SAM) 6-4, 6-1
Jana Rovira (ETSU) def. Ali DeSpain (AUB) 0-6, 7-5, 6-2
Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Nikola Novotna (USA) 7-6 (4), 6-2
Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Brianna Crowley (MISS) 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2
Emma Peeler (UTC) def. Ali DeSpain (AUB) 6-2, 6-3
Saturday Results:
Adeline Flach/Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Ava Hrastar/Rachel Krzyzak (MISS) 6-2
Lahari Yelamanchili/Kristen Borland (TUL) def. Adeline Flach/Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) 7-5
Ali DeSpain (AUB) def. Rozalie Dohnalova (CHAT) 7-5, 7-5
Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Elysia Pool (USA) 7-6 (4), 6-4
Lahari Yelamanchili (TUL) def. Adeline Flach (AUB) 4-6, 6-1, (10-3)
Cogan wins singles draw at Roberta Alison
Grace Schinsing / Auburn Athletics