April 10, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- The University of Alabama women's tennis team heads to Auburn this weekend to take on the 28th-ranked Auburn Tigers on Saturday, April 12, at 12 p.m. at the Luther Young Tennis Complex in Auburn.

"We have improved steadily through the course of the season," said Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz. "We have competed better with each match and have gained momentum though the final outcome has not necessarily indicated this. This team has worked diligently to advance and has not surrendered to discouragement. I'm proud of them and believe that they are playing their best tennis now. We have talked about opportunities all season and we realize that there is much to play for on the tail end of the home stretch."

Alabama heads into the match after falling to South Carolina and Florida last weekend. The Tide is led by freshman Tiffany Welcher at No. 1 singles where she put in a good showing against two ranked opponents last weekend. Welcher has defeated three ranked opponents this spring, including the 56th-ranked Kelley Hyndman of Georgia.

Alabama leads the series with Auburn, 25-23, and is 4-1 against the Tigers in the last four years. The Tigers head into the match with a 14-6 overall record and are 4-6 in the SEC. Auburn split matches last weekend with Florida and South Carolina. The Tigers are led by 22nd-ranked Fani Chifchieva at No. 1 singles. In doubles, Alex Haney and Melissa Koning are the only ranked Tiger pair at No. 22.

Live statistics and complete results for the match will be available at rolltide.com.