COLUMBIA, S.C. - Auburn players enjoyed success in their first matches of 2024 during the first day of the South Carolina Invite in Columbia. The Tigers claimed three singles victories and two doubles victories over the course of the day highlighted by Ariana Arseneault's two set victory over fourth ranked Sarah Hamner of South Carolina. Arseneault's 7-6 (5), 6-4 win marks the highest ranked win of her Auburn career.
"The first day of the spring always brings a lot of excitement," said Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley. "In every match we earned windows. We responded well to the most disappointing moments and found reasons to remain steadfast when our opponents responded. As we progress around the Monopoly board of our season, we know this is just the beginning."
Auburn began the round robin event with singles matches against host school South Carolina. In addition to Arseneault's second ranked victory of the season over Hamner, sophomore Kaitlyn Carnicella also earned a ranked comeback victory over No. 76 Shahar Biran 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Adeline Flach picked up a singles victory as well, defeating Elise Mills in straight sets.
In the afternoon, the Tigers played three doubles matches against Wisconsin, claiming two. Carnicella and DJ Bennett, who won 14 dual match victories paired together last season, began the spring with a 6-2 win over Ariel Johnson and Kaja Jacobson 6-2. Freshman Ava Esposito Cogan and graduate student Ali DeSpain teamed up to earn a 6-4 victory over Taylor Cataldi and Rosie Garcia Gross.
The second day of the South Carolina Invite will continue on Sunday, as the Tigers will begin the day at 9 a.m. CT playing singles against Wake Forest. Auburn will then play doubles matches against South Carolina that will begin no earlier than 1 p.m. CT.
Live video and live scoring of the South Carolina Invite will be available online at track.tennis. Results will also be posted online at wearecollegetennis.com.
Saturday Results:
#6 Ayana Akli (SC) def. #34 DJ Bennett (AUB) 7-5, 6-2
Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. #4 Sarah Hamner (SC) 7-6(5), 6-4
Kaitlyn Carnicella (AUB) def. #76 Shahar Biran (SC) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3
Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Elise Mills (SC) 6-3, 6-4
Misa Malkin (SC) def. Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) 7-6(5), 6-3
Olympe Lancelot (SC) def. Ali DeSpain (AUB) 6-1, 6-4
Xinyu Cai/Alina Mukhortova (WISC) def. Ariana Arseneault/Adeline Flach (AU) 6-2
Kaitlyn Carnicella/DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Ariel Johnson/Kaja Jacobson (WISC) 6-2
Ava Esposito Cogan/Ali DeSpain (AUB) def. Taylor Cataldi/Rosie Garcia Gross (WISC) 6-4
Arseneault earns Top 5 singles win, Tigers successful in spring opener
