Alabama Ends Regular Season with 5-2 Win Over Auburn
4/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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In front of a near capacity crowd at the University of Alabama Tennis Complex, the Alabama Crimson Tide closed out the 2005 regular season Saturday with a decisive 5-2 win over rival Auburn.
Alabama (8-13, 3-8 SEC) dominated the Tigers, winning eight of the day’s nine matches. The only loss for Alabama came at No. 2 singles where Ashley Bentley was forced to retire after the first set due to injury.
“This win today was big for us,” Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz said. “We needed to finish the season strong and with a victory. Now we have a little momentum heading into the SEC Tournament.”
Natalie McElveen clinched the win for Alabama at No. 5 singles with a 6-5, 6-4 straight set victory over Sarah Suitor. It was McElveen’s third match-clinching win of the season. Robin Stephenson, Melissa Minor and Mari Muller also won in straight sets for the Tide. Stephenson won at No. 1 singles to earn her team-leading 25th win on the year. Minor’s win was her fifth straight win on the season and upped her record to 14-16 and 5-6 in the SEC.
“Minor is playing as well as she has played all year,” Mainz said. “That’s big for us. We need her to continue to play at the top of her game.”
Doubles, as it has been throughout the season, was once again the key for Alabama Saturday. The Tide started fast out of the gates, jumping to a 3-0 lead in all three doubles matches before eventually sweeping Auburn. Alabama is now 5-1 this season when it wins the doubles point.
Stephenson and McElveen dominated Jelena Jovic and Ashley Cowart, winning 8-2. Muller and Melissa Day then clinched the doubles point for Alabama with an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles. Bentley and Minor won 8-5 at No 2. doubles over Suitor and Isabel Rosenbrock.
This was the second straight convincing win for Alabama over Auburn. Last season the Tide knocked the Tigers out of the SEC Tournament with a 4-0 win.
With Saturday’s win, Alabama finishes fourth in the SEC’s Western Division and will now head into the next week’s SEC Tournament, being played in Tuscaloosa, as the No. 10 seed. Pairings for the tournament will be released Saturday evening after all matches have been completed. Alabama’s likely opponent will be Western Division Champion Ole Miss. The Rebels defeated Alabama earlier this season 5-2.
Tennis Match Results
Auburn vs Alabama
Apr 16, 2005 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
#32 Alabama 5, Auburn 2
Singles competition:
1. #8 Robin Stephenson (WBAMA) def. Jelena Jovic (AU) 6-1, 6-4
2. Isabel Rosenbrock (AU) def. #58 Ashley Bentley (WBAMA) 6-3, retired
3. Melissa Minor (WBAMA) def. Ashley Cowart (AU) 6-2, 6-3
4. Mari Muller (WBAMA) def. Tori Almagno (AU) 7-6, 6-1
5. Natalie McElveen (WBAMA) def. Sarah Suitor (AU) 6-4, 6-1
6. Nancy Peaden (AU) def. Anrdea Brenes (WBAMA) 3-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-5)
Doubles competition:
1. Robin Stephenson/Natalie McElveen (WBAMA) def. Jelena Jovic/Ashley Cowart (AU) 8-2
2. Ashley Bentley/Melissa Minor (WBAMA) def. Isabel Rosenbrock/Sarah Suitor (AU) 8-5
3. #51 Mari Muller/Melissa Day (WBAMA) def. Nancy Peaden/Tori Almagno (AU) 8-4
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (2,1,3,5,4,6)
Bentley (UA) retired at No. 2 singles
