Auburn University Team Page
AUBURN - The 14th ranked Auburn women's tennis team defeated No. 43 Arkansas, 6-1, Sunday afternoon at the Yarbrough Tennis Center moving the Tigers to 14-1 (4-0 SEC) on the season.
"First of all, I think our doubles was much improved," head coach Lauren Longbotham Meisner said. "I really liked the energy and focus. I like how we won the points at the net. We knew the conditions were going to be difficult with the wind, but we handled it really well. Our energy was really high and I think that set the tone for the remainder of the match.
"In singles, we knew they were going to come out fighting. It was really close. We kept fighting and kept the energy up. Once I saw that we had three first sets, I knew we had enough. I am happy for Jackie and Jen that they were able to refocus and come out and win the second and third set."
In doubles, Jackie Kasler and Emily Flickinger made quick work of Sarah McLean and Kimberly-Ann Surin, 8-0, on court two. On court one, No. 56 Pleun Burgmans and Plamena Kurteva topped Caludine Paulson and Segou Jonker, 8-5. Auburn's Jen Pfeifler and Paulina Schippers led Yang Pang and Brittany Huxley 6-5 before play was stopped.
In singles, Flicker raced past McLean, 6-2, 6-1, on court two. No. 70 Burgmans gave Auburn a 3-0 advantage after defeating Yang Pang 6-1, 6-4 on court one. Kurteva clinched the match for the Tigers following a 6-3, 6-2 victory on court six.
On court two, Arkansas' Claudine Paulson topped Auburn's Michala Kucharova 7-3, 7-5. Pfeifler gave Auburn a 5-1 advantage over the Razorbacks, defeating Ana Hernandez in a third set tiebreaker, 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (5). Kasler sealed the 6-1 victory for the Tigers with a thrilling comeback victory over Kimberly-Ann Surin on court five. After dropping the first set, 6-4, Pfeifler battled back with a 6-1 victory in the second set before topping Surin in the third set tiebreaker, 10-5.
The Tigers will return to action Friday as they clash with in-state rival, No. 6 Alabama in Tuscaloosa at 5 p.m. CT.
