GAINESVILLE, Fla. – After nine-consecutive victories, Florida women's tennis fell to No. 13 Auburn inside the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex, 1-6, on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Southeastern Conference matchup featured high-caliber doubles actions between the Gators (17-5, 9-3 SEC) and Tigers (18-4, 9-2 SEC). Auburn pulled out to an early advantage following a comeback victory on court three. Sydney Berlin and Carly Briggs opened with a strong start, gathering a 3-1 lead, but Carolyn Ansari and Madeline Meredith would respond with five-straight wins to take the match, 6-3.
 
The duo of Alicia Dudeney and McCartney Kessler would pull the Gators back even with the opposition on the top court. Facing off with the No. 12 doubles team in the country of Selin Ovunc and Ariana Arseneault, Florida raced out to a 3-1 lead and never looked back, earning a 6-3 victory.
 
With all eyes on court two for the deciding match in doubles, Bente Spee and Marlee Zein put together an admirable effort. Finding themselves down 1-3, the freshman and senior pair tied up the match at four games each towards the end of the set. Despite having a match point with a 5-4 lead, it would be the team of Carolyn Ansari and Madeline Meredith, that would earn a hard-fought 7-6(2) victory, giving Auburn the doubles point.
 
Dudeney was locked-in for the Orange & Blue to begin singles competition. The freshman made quick work of opponent Adeline Flach in the opening set, 6-0, before nearly completing the sweep in the second, securing a 6-1 set and match victory, pulling the Gators back even with their competition.
 
With the match tied at one, the Tigers managed to reclaim the lead after a strong performance from No. 87 Carolyn Ansari on court three. Briggs gave the opposition a battle early, splitting the first four games of the set, but Ansari would close out the set for a 6-3 win. The second frame would also go Auburn's way, 6-2, giving AU a 2-1 match lead.
 
Despite strong efforts from the remaining Gators, Auburn would not relinquish the lead, rattling-off the last four courts to claim a 6-1 victory.
 
The Gators will be back in action on Saturday, Apr. 16, when they welcome South Carolina to the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex for a 1 p.m. matchup and senior day.
 
SINGLES
No. 69 Selin Ovunc (AU) def. No. 15 McCartney Kessler: 6-4, 7-5
No. 70 Ariana Arseneault (AU) def. No. 64 Marlee Zein: 6-7(2), 6-4, 10-5
No. 87 Carolyn Ansari (AU) def. Carly Briggs: 6-3, 6-2
Alicia Dudeney def. Adeline Flach (AU): 6-0, 6-1
Georgie Axon (AU) def. Sara Dahlstrom: 7-5, 6-1
Yu Chen (AU) def. Sydney Berlin: 6-4, 6-3
 
Order of Finish: 4, 3, 6, 1, 5, 2
 
DOUBLES
Alicia Dudeney/McCartney Kessler def. No. 12 Selin Ovunc/Ariana Arseneault (AU): 6-3
Georgie Axon/Adeline Flach (AU) def. Bente Spee/Marlee Zein: 7-6(2)
Carolyn Ansari/Madeline Meredith (AU) def. Sydney Berlin/Carly Briggs: 6-3
 
Order of Finish: 3, 1, 2
 
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Roland Thornqvist
 
On Sunday's high-level doubles play…
"Obviously we had two match points and a lot of opportunities. The doubles part, we were disappointed, but we've handled that well throughout the year. Our philosophy is, even if you're better in doubles, it's difficult to win it all the time, so you have to be able to play and just let go. I thought we did that, that's not why we lost."
 
On the difference in today's match…
"I thought Auburn was better at almost everything today and we're disappointed because we felt like some of the things that we have full control over, we didn't do a very good job of. I thought our body language was not great, to be honest. They looked braver and more willing to take the physical punishment of playing than we were and we have won a lot of matches in a row, which has built up a lot of confidence, but at the same time when it gets to these matches against the elite teams, the margins are so small that we have to do the little things right. I thought we failed on many, many courts today."
 
On the room for improvement moving forward…
The bad news is we didn't do a very good job of it, but the good news is if we have control of these matters leading into postseason, then let's make a commitment to stuff that we can absolutely control, our body language, how we help each other when it gets tight, our willingness to battle in long points in long games and not give away free points left and right. If we can do that, in virtually every loss we've had with the exception of Georgia, our other matches if we win a match here and there, then we win those matches or at least have a chance. We just have to do a better job as a team with the stuff we can control."
 
On practice this week and looking forward to South Carolina next weekend…
"We've got to do the same stuff, honestly, and keep teaching. On Saturday, that South Carolina team is going to be very similar to this Auburn team. They're a physical team that can go deep in points and games, and we have to be better in our willingness to battle and be brave on big points, improve our body language and help one another. It's one thing if there's no opportunity for us to do it. As today's disappointment abates, let's get back and work this week knowing that if we do get those things right, we can beat all those teams. Our goal clearly is going to be to win the SEC tournament and I think we can have a huge home court advantage if we do things right."
 
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