April 12, 2008

Auburn, Ala. - The No. 26 Auburn Tigers (15-6, 5-6 SEC) defeated Alabama (6-14, 2-10 SEC) 6-1 Saturday afternoon at the Yarborough Tennis Center. The Tigers finished SEC play with a strong victory against the Tide heading into SEC championship play beginning on April 17.

"We had a very good effort today", said head coach Tim Gray. "We took care of business and that is what you need to do against a team like Alabama."

The Tigers gained momentum in the doubles when the duo of Alex Haney and Melissa Koning defeated Paulino Bigos and Andrea Brenes 8-3 on court one. Securing the Tiger victory in doubles was the pair of Whitney Chappell and Fani Chifchieva with a score of 8-5 on court two.

In singles action, the Tigers jumped off to commanding start winning five-of-six first sets. Haney defeated Bigos 6-1, 6-2 on court two. Chifchieva won a hard battle 6-3, 6-2 on court one putting the Tigers up 2-0.

The Tigers kept a commanding victory throughout the entire match. On court six Dunja Djuranovic topped Albagail Brenes 6-4, 6-4. Whitney Chappell prevailed over Merritt Emory 6-2, 6-3 on court four. Jil Hastenrath earned a conference win over Shelley Goodwin 6-3, 6-2.

On court three, Koning battled against Alice Tunaru. Tunaru proved to be to much for Koning to handle and she fell in three 7-5, 1-6, 6-3.

Auburn will host the Southeastern Conference Women's Tennis Championship at the Yarborough Tennis Center April 17-20 in Auburn, Ala. Complete tournament information is available at www.auburntigers.com.

Singles
1. AU #22 Chifchieva def. UA Wecher 6-3, 6-2
2. AU # 107 Haney def. UA Bigos 6-1, 6-2
3. UA Tunaru def. AU Koning 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
4. AU Chappell def. UA Emory 6-2, 6-3
5. AU Hastenrath def. UA Goodwin 6-3, 6-2 6. AU Djuranovic def. UA Brenes 6-4, 6-4

Order of finish: 2,1,6,4,3,5

Doubles
1. AU Haney/Koning def. UA Bigos/Brenes 8-3
2. AU Chappell/Chifchieva def. UA Emory/Wlecher 8-5
3. AU Beelen/Hastenrath def. UA Goodwin/Svnesson 8-6

Order of Finish: 1,2,3