Kentucky Falls to Auburn in First Spring SEC Contest
AUBURN, Ala. – Kentucky women’s tennis (6-4. 0-1 SEC) began conference play on Friday falling to No. 12 Auburn (7-5, 1-0 SEC) at the Yarbrough Tennis Center, 5-2.
Sophomore Ellie Myers and freshman Julia Zhu individually scored Kentucky’s two points on the day.
Beginning with doubles play, the pair of Lidia Gonzalez and Ellie Eades were overcome by their Tiger opposition, Ariana Arseneault and DJ Bennett, 4-6 on Court 1. However, Zoe Hammond and Myers leveled the playing field as they came out on top 6-4 against Auburn’s Carolyn Ansari and Selin Ovunc. With the doubles point on the line, Court 2 faced a tough battle. Claiming the point for the Tigers, Angella Okutoyi and Adeline Flach defeated Makayla Mills and Elizabeth Stevens 7-5.
In singles competition, Stevens was the first Wildcat to complete her match against No. 16 nationally ranked Ansari. She fell to her ranked competitor in two sets, 1-6, 1-6. Court 2 was the next to finish as Gonzalez fell to a ranked opponent of her own, No. 73 Arseneault, 3-6, 2-6.
However, Myers was the first Wildcat to claim a point with a 7(9)-6(7), 6-0 victory over Flach on Court 6. The point put the Cats on the board 1-3. Shortly after, Auburn clinched the match as Eades fell to her No. 77 ranked opponent, Bennett, in three sets 6-4, 1-6, 0-6.
With two points left to claim in the match, both Kentucky and Auburn took one each. For the Tigers, No. 105 ranked Okutoyi defeated Hammond, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. For the Cats, Zhu took the win over Ovunc, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.
Kentucky will be back in action on Sunday, March 3 as SEC play continues at No. 13 Alabama. Fans can live stream the match against the Crimson Tide or follow along with live stats.
RESULTS
Kentucky at No. 12 Auburn
UK 2, EKU 5
Doubles
Arseneault/Benett (AU) def. Eades/Gonzalez (UK) 6-4
Okutoyi/Flach (AU) def. Mills/Stevens (UK) 7-5
Hammond/Myers (UK) def. Ansari/Ovunc 6-4
Singles
No. 16 Ansari (AU) def. Stevens (UK) 6-1, 6-1
No. 73 Arseneault (AU) def. Gonzalez (UK) 6-3, 6-2
No. 77 Bennett (AU) def. Eades (UK) 4-6, 6-1, 6-0
No. 105 Okutoyi (AU) def. Hammond (UK) 2-6, 6-1, 7-5
Zhu (UK) def. Ovunc (AU) 6-2, 3-6, 7-5
Myers (UK) def. Flach (AU) 7(9)-6(7), 6-0
Order of Finish:
Doubles— 1,3,2
Singles— 1,2,6,3,4,5
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