The Auburn women’s tennis team returns to action Friday, September 22nd at the University of Miami Invitational. The Tigers are coming off consecutive seasons of Sweet 16 visits and are looking to block out the high expectations and let their play on the court speak for itself. “I have zero expectations for this season I just want to go out and enjoy my senior season,” said Alizee Michaud when asked about what her expectations regarding this season were.
The Tigers start off with six players in the initial preseason ITA rankings, five players being ranked in singles and three doubles teams also being ranked, the most since 1981. The group is led by Alizee Michaud who is ranked ninth in singles. The ninth ranking in singles is tied for a school record with Fani Chifchieva.
Michaud is also ranked second in doubles with her partner Taylor Russo, making this the highest doubles ranking in school history.
"It’s really cool, I never thought coming in I would become this good and it just means a lot," Michaud said.
The dynamic duo of Michaud and Russo is possible because of their fiery attitudes.
“We work well together because we feed off of each other,” Michaud said of Russo. Though only doubles partners for one season, Michaud said Russo was "like a sister."
Michaud gave all her praise to the Auburn coaching staff, but singled out head coach Lauren Spencer as the single most influential person and said, “she is definitely someone I want in my life after I leave Auburn.”
Andie Dikosavljevic follows Michaud in singles with a ranking of 21st. Dikosavljevic is also ranked 28th in doubles along with her partner Alannah Griffin. Griffin is ranked 94th in singles to go along with the doubles ranking.
The duo of Caroline Turner and Georgie Axon are ranked 24th in doubles with Axon getting a ranking in singles as well.
Following the University of Miami Invitational, the Tigers will head to Malibu for the All-American Championships where five Tigers have been selected to attend.
On Oct. 20th-23rd the Tigers will be hosting the ITA regional championships in Auburn. Michaud, having already won a regional championship, said it was great having this tournament in Auburn her senior season and it means a lot for the other seniors too.
Shortly after the Regional Championships the team will be heading to Lawrence, Kansas for the Kansas Invite on Oct. 27th-29th. The Tigers will then head back to Malibu for the ITA Fall Championships on Nov. 1st-5th to wrap up the fall schedule.
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