The Auburn tennis team finished off the Georgia Tech Invitational at the Bill More Tennis Center in Atlanta October 3-4.
Head coach Eric Shore knew this was going to be a test for the team, and the pair of tournaments was going to show him how well his underclassmen could handle the speed of the college game.
"This was an exciting weekend," said Assistant Coach Gabor Zoltan, "It was a great way to see where we are in the fall before heading into spring competition."
The first day of competition featured junior transfer Alex Jorne and freshman Davis Taylor picking up a win against Furmans Robert Bruner and Tyler Droll, 9-7, in the doubles "B" draw.
Jorne and Taylor looked to continue their winning ways in the singles "B" draw. However Jorne fell to UNC-Willington's Chris Cooprider in two sets (6-3, 6-3. Taylor lost to Lucas Thomas of Georgia State in two sets as well (6-4, 6-4).
The duo also lost in the elimination round.
In the single "A" draw was senior Nick Maurillo and freshman Michael Wardell.
Maurillo was defeated by Mikk Irodoja of Armstrong Atlantic in the first round.
Wardell, a high school state doubles champion in Florida, was knocked out by Clemson's Gera Boryachinskiy in two sets (6-2, 6-1).
However all was not lost for Wardell. He finished the day with the first collegiate win, beating Marin Shiskov (6-3, 7-5).
"We were proud to see Michael get his first singles win," Pelva said, "He's got a bright future ahead of him."
Wardell was one of five student-athletes that Auburn sent to Atlanta, three of which were freshmen.
"There will be plenty more to come," Pelva said.
Maurillo didn't have the same luck and was overpowered by Tennessee's Max Stevens (6-3, 6-2).
When the two teamed up in the doubles "A" draw they lost to the Georgia Tech combination of Magin Ortiga and Austing Roebuck (8-5).
Unfortunately, day two was more of the same for the Auburn Tigers.
Wardell and Taylor both competed in the singles competition. Wardell fell to Rok Kizjak of Clemson (6-2, 6 1) in the "A" draw. In the "C" draw Taylor was defeated by Georgia Tech's Migeul Muguruza (6-2, 6-3).
Once again Maurillo and Wardell teamed up in the doubles "A" draw. This time they faced Bryan Swartz and Max Stevens of Tennessee, but they fell 8-5.
Jorne and Taylor competed against Armstrongs Atlantic's Dan Regan and Jose Carlos Tolentino in the doubles "B" draw, but were defeated 8-4. Although Auburn was eliminated Sunday the tournament continued Monday.
In the "A" doubles finals Carlos Alvarez and Gera Boryachinskiy of Clemson defeated Georgia Tech's Miguel Muguruza and Ryan Smith.
The UNC-W duo beat the combo of Jose Carlos Tolentinno and Dan Regan Division from Regan Armstron Atlantic (8-6) in "B" doubles
And in the singles "A" group Rhyne Williams of Tennessee beat teammate Matteo Fago in two sets (6-1, 6-4).
"Our guys played hard all weekend long," Pelva said, "But we've got some work to do."
Not participating in the tournament were All-Americans junior Tim Puetz and sophomore Alex Stamchev. They are currently participating int the All-American Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are competing in the singles as well as the doubles competition.
Next the tigers will travel to New Orleans for the ITA Regionals October 22-25.
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