TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – No. 16 Women's tennis defeated 24th ranked Alabama by a 4-3 score in Tuscaloosa on Friday evening. The win marks the Tigers' fourth consecutive win over their in-state rival.
"It was another hard fought match, especially when you're playing against a rival at their home courts," Auburn interim head coach Lester Cook said after the win. "The girls did a great job of keeping focus and fighting for every point. I'm super proud of them and happy to get the win."
Auburn's doubles lineup saw a change, with Ali DeSpain and Ava Esposito Cogan playing together at for the first time since Feb. 4 at No. 3. Angella Okutoyi and Adeline Flach, who earned a doubles ranking of 42nd by the ITA on Tuesday, won their sixth dual match of the season 6-3 over Anna Parkhomenko and Petra Sedlackova.
A few moments later, DeSpain and Esposito Cogan defeated Klara Milicevic and Ola Pitak 6-2 and clinched the doubles point for the Tigers.
Auburn continued the momentum from doubles into singles with quick opening set victories on courts two and four. DJ Bennett continued her dominant singles play with another straight set win on court two. Bennett defeated No. 49 Loudmilla Bencheikh 6-1, 6-2 for her team-best 16th dual match singles win of the season.
The Crimson Tide responded with a straight set win on court five to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Auburn fifth-year senior Carolyn Ansari stayed hot with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over 103rd ranked Petra Sedlackova to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead. Ansari's win improved her overall singles record to 18-9 this season and moved Auburn to within one singles win of a team victory.
DeSpain and Ariana Arseneault both bounced back with second set wins after dropping the first set in each of their respective singles matches. Pitak and Okutoyi also split sets to force a third set on court four.
With all three remaining matches in a decisive third set, Milicevic prevailed over DeSpain by a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 score.
With Auburn leading the match 3-2, Arseneault ultimately clinched the win for the Tigers in the rivalry match. After dropping the opening set in a tiebreaker, the Auburn senior came back to win the match 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4. The match clinching victory marked Arseneault's 10th dual match win of the season.
After the team win was clinched, Pitak defeated Okutoyi to make the final score 4-3.
The win improved Auburn's record to 14-8 overall and 8-3 in the SEC. The Tigers remain in fourth place in the conference standings.
Auburn will have one week before its next match, which will be Friday at 5 p.m. CT against Texas A&M on the road.
#16 Auburn 4, #24 Alabama 3
Singles Results:
1. #7 Carolyn Ansari (AUB) def. #103 Petra Sedlackova (UA) 7-5, 6-4
2. #70 DJ Bennett (AUB) def. #49 Loudmilla Bencheikh (UA) 6-1, 6-2
3. #72 Ariana Arseneault (AUB) def. Anne Marie Hiser (UA) 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-4
4. Ola Pitak (UA) def. Angella Okutoyi (AUB) 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5
5. Anna Parkhomenko (UA) def. Adeline Flach (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
6. Klara Milicevic (UA) def. Ali DeSpain (AUB) 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
Doubles Results:
1. #13 Loudmilla Bencheikh/Anne Marie Hiser (UA) vs. #9 DJ Bennett/Ariana Arseneault (AUB) 5-3, unfinished
2. #42 Angella Okutoyi/Adeline Flach (AUB) def. Anna Parkhomenko/Petra Sedlackova (UA) 6-3
3. Ali DeSpain/Ava Esposito Cogan (AUB) def. Klara Milicevic/Ola Pitak (UA) 6-4
Order of finish: Doubles: 2,3; Singles: 2,5,1,6,3,4
