AUBURN, Ala. – No. 12 Auburn remained perfect in SEC play on Friday afternoon after a convincing 7-0 shutout win over Missouri at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. Auburn won all six singles matches over the Tigers in straight sets.
"Every match is an opportunity to get better and keep improving as we pick up momentum towards our goal of becoming SEC champions," said Auburn interim head coach Lester Cook. "The girls did a great job of focusing well and getting a quick win."
With inclement weather approaching quickly, the match took place on the indoor courts at the Yarbrough Tennis Center at 3 p.m. It was a fast start for Auburn in the doubles point, as Adeline Flach and Angella Okutoyi won the first five games of their match against Gabriela Martinez and Roma Cardenas Rifka. Flach and Okutoyi ultimately won the match 6-1, which marked the duo's second dual match win of the season.
With the match tied 2-2 on court three, Carolyn Ansari and Selin Ovunc won the next four straight games to defeat Emelie Schwarte and Andrea Artimedi 6-2 and claim the doubles point for Auburn.
Auburn continued its dominance in singles play, winning the opening set on all six courts, including 6-0 wins on courts three and four.
Ovunc earned her first singles win in conference play this season with a quick 6-0, 6-1 win over Schwarte on court four. Just a few minutes later, Okutoyi also won in straight sets over Gabriela Martinez for her fourth consecutive singles win and eighth dual singles win of the season to increase Auburn's lead to 3-0.
On court two, Bennett dominated her second set by springing out to a 5-0 lead and coasting to a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Inah Canete. Bennett's ninth dual singles victory of the season clinched the match win for the Tigers.
DJ, turn it up 🎶🎶#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/XypOqPleFb
— Auburn Women's Tennis (@AuburnWTennis) March 9, 2024
Arseneault and Flach then recorded singles wins after the team win was secured to push the Auburn lead to 6-0. After trailing the second set 5-2 at one point, freshman Ava Esposito Cogan came all the way back to win 7-5 by winning the last five straight games of the match to complete the shutout for the Tigers.
The win improves Auburn's record to 8-5 and 3-0 in conference, while the loss drops Missouri to 4-11 and 0-3 in the SEC. Auburn will remain at home to face Arkansas on Sunday at noon CT. Fans are encouraged to enjoy post-spring break relaxation at the Yarbrough Tennis Center during the match with free Kona Ice during the doubles point. Live video and live scoring will be available online at AuburnTigers.com.
#12 Auburn 7, Missouri 0
Singles Results:
1. #70 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. Mae Canete (MIZ) 6-2, 6-2
2. #64 DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Inah Canete (MIZ) 6-3, 6-1
3. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Gabriela Martinez (MIZ) 6-0, 6-2
4. Selin Ovunc (AUB) def. Emelie Schwarte (MIZ) 6-0, 6-1
5. Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Roma Cardenas Rifka (MIZ) 6-2, 7-5
6. Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Andrea Artimedi (MIZ) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles Results:
1. #19 Ariana Arseneault/DJ Bennett (AUB) vs. #33 Mae Canete/Inah Canete (MIZ) 3-4, unfinished
2. Adeline Flach/Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Gabriela Martinez/Roma Cardenas Rifka (MIZ) 6-1
3. Carolyn Ansari/Selin Ovunc (AUB) def. Emelie Schwarte/Andrea Artimedi (MIZ) 6-2
Time of match: 2:08; Order of finish: Doubles: 2,3; Singles: 4,3,2,1,6,5; Official: Chris Rodger