AUBURN, Ala. (January 17, 2025) – The University of North Alabama women's tennis team started strong with a doubles point in its season opener at No. 12 Auburn, but the Lions were defeated in singles play in a 6-1 setback Saturday afternoon.

The 2025 season debut began with a test against Southeastern Conference competition, and the Lions started the dual by setting the tone from first serve. North Alabama took a point in doubles play, rallying from a court down to take the second and third flights.

UNA's Eeva Ristola and Ada Karabacak grabbed a massive first win in doubles, defeating No. 95 ranked Angella Okutoyi and Merna Refaat, 7-5. The sophomore tandem of Mathilde Delaney and Emma Ansorge followed with the tiebreaking point from court three, earning a thrilling 7-5 victory.

The Lions headed into singles play with a 1-0 lead against one of the top teams in the nation, securing the first point with momentum.

Auburn responded in singles by taking all six flights, but not without a battle from the sixth court. Senior Anoek Pruijmboom lost 6-1 in the first set of her match with Auburn's Maria Garcia, but won 6-2 in the next one to force a super tiebreak. Pruijmboom kept it close against Garcia, but fell in a 10-6 decision.

Ansorge, Ristola and Karabacak suffered defeat in their respective singles matches, as all three battled ranked individuals. Duals against No. 22 Merna Refaat, No. 69 Ava Hrastar and No. 110 Angella Okutoyi went in favor of Auburn, claiming all three matches by 6-2, 6-0 scorelines.

Junior Stanislava Bobrovnikova competed against No. 2 ranked DJ Bennett from the top-flight, falling 6-1, 6-0, and Delaney rounded out the singles matches with a 6-1, 6-4 setback from court five.


Auburn 6, North Alabama 1

Doubles

1. DJ Bennett/Ava Hrastar (AUB) def. Stanislava Bobrovnikova/Anoek Pruijmboom (UNA), 6-1
2. Eeva Ristola/Ada Karabacak (UNA) def. #97 Angella Okutoyi/Merna Refaat (AUB), 7-5
3. Mathilde Delaney/Emma Ansorge (UNA) def. Ava Espisito/Maria Garcia (AUB, 7-5

Singles

1. #2 DJ Bennett (AUB) def. Stanislava Bobrovnikova (UNA), 6-1, 6-0
2. #69 Ava Hrastar (AUB) def. Emma Ansorge (UNA), 6-2, 6-0
3. #110 Angella Okutoyi (AUB) def. Eeva Ristola (UNA), 6-2, 6-0
4. #22 Merna Refaat (AUB) def. Ada Karabacak (UNA), 6-2, 6-0
5. Ava Esposito (AUB) def. Mathilde Delaney (UNA), 6-1, 6-4
6. Maria Garcia (AUB) def. Anoek Pruijmboom (UNA), 6-1, 2-6, 1(10)-0(6)


Match Notes

Auburn: 1-0
North Alabama: 0-1


Order of Finish – Doubles: (1,2,3) Singles (1,4,3,2,5,6)


COMING UP NEXT 

The Lions look on to Feb. 1 for their next outing, competing against Troy on the road at 1:30 p.m.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.