The first ranked Auburn Tigers took down the fourth ranked Ohio State Buckeyes to advance to the NCAA Championship final for the first time in program history. At the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, Georgia the Tigers achieved a 4-1 victory by a doubles point and three straight-set wins.
“Great win for our program,” Auburn head coach Jordan Szabo remarked. “This is where we wanted to be. We’ve been talking a big game all year, so it was great for us to be able to deliver when it matters. What a great doubles point. We really took it to them from the start. Our doubles has been amazing all year, and I really feel like we got a really good jump. At some point, especially in these big matches, you want to give yourself some cushion because it’s hard closing out sets and matches in these big moments."
The doubles point was won by duo Angie Okutoyi and Merna Refaat in a 6-1 dominant fashion against the Buckeyes' Hephzibah Oluwadare and Teah Chavez. This doubles match set the tone early and gave Auburn a lead that they would not lose the rest of the night. On the Top doubles court the Tigers were led by DJ Bennett and Ava Esposito who took an early lead 5-1, allowing Ohio State to cut the deficit to 5-3 before putting it away 6-3 clinching the doubles point. The Tigers have won 38 of their 40 doubles points this season.
In the singles the Tigers earned opening-set wins from Okutoyi, Refaat, Ava Esposito, and Ashton Bowers. The Tigers and Buckeyes would trade the first two points making it 1-1 which would be followed by Esposito coming back from a 30-0 deficit and win her 30th singles point of the year to give Auburn the lead 2-1. Okutoyi would earn the Tigers third point in singles while Refaat would close it out with 6-2 match to earn the clinching point and celebrate with her team.
“It was amazing to clinch the win for the team,” Refaat said. “From the beginning of the match, it was about focusing on the goal and getting the job done. I think that’s what helped me in the match. Also, trusting my teammates throughout. I was relaxed and never felt nervous because Ashton next to me was serving for the match. I’m confident in my team, and that’s what really helped me clinch it.”
Auburn will face the other semifinal winner, the third ranked Texas A&M Aggies, for the championship title scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. CST at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Reid is a sophomore majoring in accounting. He joined the Plainsman in the fall of 2024.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @ReidFarris2
