Tigers advance to semifinals with win over Gamecocks
AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 12 Auburn improved 22-6 (9-4 SEC), defeating No. 11 South Carolina, 4-0 to advance to the semifinals of the SEC Women's Tennis Championship. With 22 wins this season, Auburn ties a program record for wins in a single season.
"We knew it was going to be another tough match," said Auburn head coach Lauren Spencer. "South Carolina is a really tough team. They came after us really hard in doubles, but we were able to pull through. Alizee (Michaud) and Alannah (Griffin) came out on fire and really energized our team. Winning three first-sets was huge for us. We are looking forward to playing another top-ten opponent tomorrow."
Auburn took the doubles point with two solid performances on courts one and two. No. 11 Pleun Burgmans and Alizee Michaud improved to 11-4 (9-4 SEC) on the season, defeating No. 25 Paige Cline and Hadley Berg of South Carolina, 6-3.
After trailing 3-1, Alannah Griffin and Andie Dikosavljevic battled back to defeat Caroline Dailey and Brigit Folland, 7-5. With the win, the duo improves to 13-2 (3-1 SEC) on the season.
No. 31 Michaud made quick work of No. 80 Ingrid Martins, winning 6-0, 6-3 on court two. With the win, Michaud improves to 17-4 (7-4 SEC) on the season, with seven wins over ranked opponents.
Griffin made the score 3-0 with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over South Carolina's Hadley Berg. She is now tied for seventh all-time with 49 combined wins in a single season.
After dropping the first set 6-1, No. 20 Dikosavljevic battled back to clinch the match for Auburn, defeating No. 71 Caroline Dailey, 1-6, 6-3, 6-0. She now has 12 wins over ranked opponents this season.
"I was extremely proud of how Andie (Dikosavljevic) battled back after struggling early," said Spencer. "After the first set, she really started getting her confidence back and played her game against a tough opponent."
Auburn will face off against No. 3 Florida tomorrow in the quarterfinals of the SEC Women's Tennis Championships. The match will begin at 11 a.m.