AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn is set to play its first dual matches of the season on Sunday, hosting Samford at 10 a.m. CT and Alabama State at 3 p.m. CT. Both matches will be played on the indoor courts at Yarbrough Tennis Center.
"Right now, it's about gaining that match toughness and building that base for the SEC," said Auburn head coach Bobby Reynolds. "To play these doubleheaders it's tough mentally, physically and emotionally."
Veterans Tyler Stice and Finn Murgett are each set to make their season debuts for the Tigers on Sunday, as both fifth year seniors took the fall season to play professional tournaments around the world.
"Finn Murgett and Tyler Stice spent some time out there traveling and playing some of the ATP tournaments," continued Reynolds. "Maybe not as many hours and feet on the ground here in Auburn, but they have learned so much from being out there and trying to figure things out on their own. I think that's the greatest way for them to develop honestly.
"Their tennis has grown from that and they've had some great results over the fall. Both the guys started off with almost no ranking, and they finish after about four or five months in the top 1000 and playing great competition every single week."
On top of returning Stice and Murgett, senior Raul Dobai will aim to continue his impressive play from the fall on Sunday. Dobai holds a 9-5 singles record as well as a 3-0 doubles record this season. The Vancouver, Canada native picked up four singles victories over ranked opponents during the fall season and has earned his career-high ranking from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association of 77th.
Attendance at the Yarbrough Tennis Center will be free for both matches. Fans in attendance on Sunday will be served free coffee, hot chocolate and donuts while supplies last. Live streaming video and stats will be available for both matches online at AuburnTigers.com.
