BATON ROUGE, La. — Sophomore Skylar Holloway fell behind 1-6 in the first set but fought back 6-4, 6-2, to clinch the match as LSU (12-7, 3-4) defeated Auburn (11-8, 1-6 SEC), 5-2, Sunday at ‘Dub’ Robinson Stadium.
LSU started off the day by winning the doubles point, something it has failed to do in a Southeastern Conference match dating back to April 17, 2014 against Tennessee. Joana Vale Costa and Noel Scott defeated Pleun Burgmans and Emily Flickinger, 8-5.
“I’ve always been very positive about our doubles play. We elevated our play today against an excellent doubles team. They are a top-10 team, and it was a great win for Jo and Noel,” Sell added.
It was indeed a great win for Vale Costa and Scott. The duo defeated the sixth-ranked doubles team in the country for the highest ranked win for an LSU doubles team since Bruna Colosio and Rocio Fantilli defeated No. 7 Maygora/Witten on April 1, 2002.
Skylar Kuykendall and Abby Owens clinched the doubles point for the Lady Tigers with an 8-4 win on court two over Reka Muller and Jen Pfeifler.
LSU returned for singles play by winning the first set on the top three courts. Abby Owens helped get LSU out to a 2-0 lead with her 6-1, 6-4 win over Muller on court three. Owens improved to 12-4 overall, 4-2 in SEC play, and 5-1 on court three for the season.
After Auburn took down court four, Skylar Kuykendall extended her winning streak to five matches with a 7-5, 6-3 court two victory over Andie Dikosavljevic. The junior is 8-2 in her last 10 matches and is now 16-3 overall and 5-2 in conference play.
With a loss on court five, LSU was only up one point with two courts remaining. Holloway pulled off the come from behind win on court six to LSU’s 12th win of the year.
Joana Vale Costa secured the 5-2 victory with a ranked win on court one. Vale Costa defeated No. 73 Pleun Burgmans 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 for her ninth win on the year and fourth win in conference play.
“Going into singles it was just a battle,” Sell said. “We’ve talked a lot about closing out matches and staying focused. This was the first day that I think we stayed calm in the pressure situations, which helped us get the win.”
LSU goes into the week with a match against Nicholls at 4 p.m. Wednesday. After taking on the Colonels, the Lady Tigers embark on a four-match road swing beginning Friday against Ole Miss.
“We’ve just been on the bubble all year long and we need a confidence boost,” Sell said. “We are about to go on the road and take on some tough teams. This will help us go with a positive mindset.”
Follow the Lady Tigers on Twitter @lsuwten and @LSUJuliaSell, on Instagram @LSUWTen and on www.Facebook.com/lsuwten.
#49 LSU 5, #37 Auburn 2
Mar 22, 2015 at Baton Rouge, La.
W.T. ‘Dub’ Robinson Stadium
Singles Competition:
1. #40 Joana Vale Costa (LSU) def. #73 Pleun Burgmans (AU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
2. #115 Skylar Kuykendall (LSU) def. Andie Dikosavljevic (AU) 7-5, 6-3
3. Abby Owens (LSU) def. Reka Muller (AU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Emily Flickinger (AU) def. Noel Scott (LSU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Paula de Man (AU) def. Ella Taylor (LSU) 6-1, 6-4
6. Skylar Holloway (LSU) def. Jen Pfeifler (AU) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2
Doubles Competition:
1. Joana Vale Costa/Noel Scott (LSU) def. #6 Pleun Burgmans/Emily Flickinger (AU) 8-5
2. #48 Skylar Kuykendall/Abigail Owens (LSU) def. Reka Muller/Jen Pfeifler (AU) 8-6
3. Skylar Holloway/Amanda Atanasson (LSU) vs. Paula de Man/Michala Kucharova (AU) 7-7, unfinished
Match Notes:
Auburn 11-8, 1-6 SEC; National ranking #37
LSU 12-7, 3-4 SEC; National ranking #49
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2); Singles (3,4,2,5,6,1)