ATHENS, Ga. – Auburn’s Ava Hrastar and Ava Esposito concluded their time at the ITA Sectional Championships on Saturday. Hrastar reached the consolation finals after dropping her first match of the event.
Esposito started her run at the singles sectional title strong on Thursday. After dropping the first set to Georgia’s Hayden Mulberry, Esposito won the match in three sets 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. On Thursday evening, Esposito was defeated by Emma Kette of Ole Miss to bow out of the tournament.
Hrastar bounced back after losing her first match of the tournament and being moved to the consolation bracket. The Auburn graduate student then defeated Elizabeth Pendergast of Xavier and Zoe Hammond of Kentcuky in straight sets. A 7-6 (4), 6-0 win over Zeynep Erman in the semifinals advanced Hrastar to the finals where she fell via walkover.
Up next, Auburn will have players compete in the NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships at the Hurd Tennis Center in Waco, Texas. DJ Bennett, Angella Okutoyi and Merna Refaat have a bid to the singles championship while Bennett and Hrastar will play in the doubles championship. The events will be played Nov. 19-24.
Thursday Results:
Leyla Britez Risso (TENN) def. Ava Hrastar (AUB) 6-4, 6-3
Ava Esposito (AUB) def. Hayden Mulberry (UGA) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Emma Kette (MISS) def. Ava Esposito (AUB) 6-3, 6-3
Friday Results:
Ava Hrastar (AUB) def. Elizabeth Pendergast (XAV) 6-4, 7-5
Ava Hrastar (AUB) def. Zoe Hammond 6-3, 6-4
Saturday Results:
Ava Hrastar (AUB) def. Zeynep Erman (CIN) 7-6 (4), 6-0
Kate Sharabura (GT) def. Ava Hrastar (AUB) WO