TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Four tigers finished participating in the Roberta Alison Fall Classic on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Auburn players claimed six singles wins and three doubles victories during the two-day event.
“A solid weekend from the girls, with a lot of wins and lots to learn from and get better," said Auburn assistant coach Pete Francis. "I feel like we’re performing better and better at each tournament and building momentum for the spring.”
On Friday, Auburn started hot by winning both of its doubles matches. Alice Battesti and Emma Tothova played together for the first time and defeated Delien Kleinhans and Rio Maeda of South Alabama 7-5. Another first time doubles team, Ava Esposito and Julie Bedard, also won against Maria Rizzolo and Chiara Di Genova 6-2.
The Tigers also found success in singles on Friday. Esposito defeated Mississippi State’s Alessia Tagliente 6-2, 6-1 for her eighth singles victory of the season. Battesti and Bedard were each leading their respective singles matches when they won by retirement.
On Saturday, Esposito and Bedard won two doubles matches over Louisville’s Germany Davis and Elena Noguera as well as Mississippi State’s Gianna Oboniye and Jayna Clemens. Esposito and Bedard now have eight and seven doubles wins this fall, respectively.
Up next, Esposito and Ava Hrastar will play for a bid to the NCAA Singles Championship in the ITA South Sectional Championship. That event will be held Nov. 7-10 in Athens, Geogia.
Friday Results:
Alice Battesti/Emma Tothova (AUB) def. Delien Kleinhans/Rio Maeda (USA) 7-5
Ava Esposito/Julie Bedard (AUB) def. Maria Rizzolo/Chiara Di Genova (MSST) 6-2
Alice Battesti (AUB) def. Gianna Oboniye (MSST) 7-6(2), 6-2
Aysegul Mert (UGA) def. Ava Esposito (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
Emma Tothova (AUB) def. Ralitsa Alexandrova (ETSU) 6-3, 6-2
Manal Ennaciri (USA) def. Julie Bedard (AUB) 6-3, 6-2
Alice Battesti (AUB) def. Alice Otis (LOU) 4-3 ret.
Ava Esposito (AUB) def. Olivia Carneiro (GT) Walkover
Maria Rizzolo (MSST) def. Emma Tothova (AUB) 6-3, 6-4
Julie Bedard (AUB) def. Berta Miret (LOU) 6-3, 2-1 ret.
Ava Esposito (AUB) def. Alessia Tagliente (MSST) 6-2, 6-1
Saturday Results:
Ava Esposito/Julie Bedard (AUB) def. Germany Davis/Elena Noguera (LOU) 6-2
Klara Milicevic/Sara Nayar (BAMA) def. Alice Battesti/Emma Tothova (AUB) 6-1
Ava Esposito/Julie Bedard (AUB) def. Gianna Oboniye/Jayna Clemens (MSST) 7-6 (3)
Alice Battesti/Emma Tothova (AUB) def. Carolina Troiano/Alessia Tagliete (MSST) 6-1
Sara Nayar (BAMA) def. Emma Tothova (AUB) 6-3, 3-2 ret.
Sofia Rojas (UGA) def. Ava Esposito (AUB) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2
Aysegul Mert (UGA) def. Alice Battesti (AUB) 6-2, 6-2
Maria Guirguis (TROY) def. Julie Bedard (AUB) 6-1, 6-2