GREENVILLE, S.C. – A battle to the finish went Auburn's way Sunday as the Tigers defeated Furman 4-3 in the women's tennis season opener for both teams.
The Tigers (1-0) clinched the doubles point and got strong play from the bottom of the lineup to claim a hard-fought victory over the Paladins (0-1).
"Today was a battle," Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley said. "Furman really pushed us and that is exactly what we expect from a team of their caliber. With today's match being our first in a long time, I am pleased with the effort and attitude we displayed across the board. The tennis will only improve as we gain experience and quality training time. .The more we are able to compete, the more we can develop."
Auburn took a 1-0 lead after doubles. The Tigers dropped the first match on court 2 as Georgie Axon and Adeline Flach fell to Furman's Dillon and Schoppe, 6-1. But Auburn would bounce back with a win on court 3 from Carolyn Ansari and Yu Chen, 6-3, and the 11th-ranked team of Taylor Russo and Selin Ovunc clinched the point with a 6-4 win over 27th-ranked Kozarov and Adams of Furman.
In singles, the Tigers moved ahead 2-0 as Ansari made quick work of Madison Dillon at the No. 4 spot, 6-0, 6-1. But Furman claimed the next two points – Ovunc fell to 15th-ranked Katarina Kozarov, 6-1, 6-2, and Chen dropped a hard-fought match to Julia Adams, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, at the No. 2 spot.
But the fifth and sixth positions came through for the Tigers. Russo downed Maggie Pate 6-2, 6-2 on court 5, and Flach provided the clinching win in her first collegiate dual match with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Georgie Walker on court 6. Georgie Axon fought to the finish on court 4, coming up just short in a third-set tiebreaker, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7.
The Tigers open the home portion of the season Friday, Jan. 22, against Samford. If weather cooperates and the match is played outdoors, fans are welcome to attend; if the match is forced indoors, there will be no spectators allowed.
For the latest on Auburn women's tennis, follow @AuburnWTennis on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Auburn 4, Furman 3
Singles
1. #15 Katarina Kozarov (FU) def. #62 Selin Ovunc (AU), 6-1, 6-2
2. Julia Adams (FU) def. Yu Chen (AU), 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
3. Carolyn Ansari (AU) def. Madison Dillon (FU), 6-0, 6-1
4. MaryAnn Rompf (FU) def. Georgie Axon (AU), 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 (5)
5. #99 Taylor Russo (AU) def. Maggie Pate (FU), 6-2, 6-2
6. Adeline Flach (AU) def. Georgie Walker (FU), 6-1, 6-3
Order of finish: 3, 1, 2, 5, 6, 4
Doubles
1. #11 Ovunc/Russo (AU) def. #27 Kozarov/Adams (FU), 6-4
2. Dillon/Schoppe (FU) def. Axon/Flach (AU), 6-0
3. Ansari/Chen (AU) def. Rompf/Walker (FU), 6-3
Order of finish: 2, 3, 1