ROME, Ga.-The Auburn University at Montgomery Lady Senators tennis team defeated Berry College 5-0 to win the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. The Lady Senators defeated Emmanuel College 5-0 and Lee University 5-0 on Friday to make it into the championship match to face the host team.
AUM won all three doubles matches, with the win at three doubles coming down to a break of serve. The doubles team of Dominika Zuzulova and Whitney Byrd were able to break serve of sisters Kirstin and Kendal Ruffner for the tough 8-6 win.
All AUM needed in singles play was two wins and it received those when Stephanie Herz from Berry had to retire in the second set to give Delia Sescioreanu the win at one singles. Tereza Veverkova was able to gain the final point needed at four singles with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Barbara Tomai.
Head Coach Scott Kidd was named the SSAC Coach of the Year and Sescioreanu was named the SSAC Player of the Year.
AUM players joining Sescioreanu on the All-SSAC Team are Julie Verdy, Joyce Chen, Veverkova, Byrd, Zuzulova and Josefine Strom.
The top-ranked Lady Senators move to 18-3 on the season and should enter the NAIA National Tournament as the top-seed. The tournament will begin May 11 in Mobile.
#1 Delia Sescioreanu (AUM) def. Stephanie Herz (BC); 6-2, 3-0 ret.
#2 Julie Verdy (AUM) vs. Marina Lebrao (BC); DNF
#3 Joyce Chen (AUM) vs. Kendal Ruffner (BC); DNF
#4 Tereza Veverkova (AUM) def. Barbara Tomai (BC); 6-1, 6-2
#5 Whitney Byrd (AUM) vs. Kirstin Ruffner (BC); DNF
#6 Dominika Zuzulova (AUM) vs. Anja Chan (BC); DNF
Doubles
#1 Sescioreanu/Veverkova (AUM) def. Herz/Lebrao (BC); 8-1
#2 Verdy/Chen (AUM) def. Tomai/Chan (BC); 8-2
#3 Zuzulova/Byrd (AUM) def. Ruffner/Ruffner (BC); 8-6
