Rebel Netters Defeat Auburn For SEC West Lead

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 17 nationally ranked Ole Miss men's tennis team defeated Auburn 5-2 here Friday at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center to gain control of the SEC West.

The Rebels, now 14-5 overall and 5-4 in the SEC, will host Alabama Sunday at 1 p.m., with a chance to clinch at least a share of the SEC West and possibly win it outright, depending on the Auburn/Mississippi State match. Auburn dropped to 4-5 in the SEC with the loss.

The day began with Ole Miss claiming a tight doubles point. Tucker Vorster and Jonas Lutjen, who had been playing No. 1 all season, were switched to No. 2 doubles. They won 8-0, while Auburn took the No. 3 match 8-3. The point came down to No. 1 with Marcel and Chris Thiemann playing their first ever match at that position. The Reb duo led 6-4, but Auburn would win three straight games to go ahead 7-6. The match ultimately went to a tiebreaker, which the Thiemann's dominated 7-1 to clinch the point.

"The doubles point was key, head coach Billy Chadwick said. "That was a very strong No.3 team they had. We could have played better, but at the same time, they are one of the strongest teams in the conference. It put the pressure on us to win at two, which we did, and then for the twins to find a way to win. That was really big for those guys."

Ole Miss increased the lead to 2-0 when freshman Harry Fowler defeated Auburn freshman Oliver Strecker 6-4, 6-2 on court five. Vorster, playing in front of his mom, who made the trek from South Africa, didn't disappoint. After dominating his doubles, he beat this week's SEC Freshman of the Week, Tim Hewitt, 6-4, 6-2 at No. 2 singles to put the Rebels ahead 3-0.

"It's been a tough road, playing some of the top players, but it feels good to win," Vorster said. "I think I've found my game, and I am starting to play good tennis again. This was a great win. They have a very good team. The T-Brothers got us off to a very good start in the doubles. Then getting a few first sets in singles was huge."

Auburn got on the board, when Stamchev beat Chris Thiemann 6-4, 6-4 at No. 3 singles.

Moments after Jonas Lutjen began his third set at No. 4, freshman Adrian Forberg Skogeng finished off Tiger Nick Maurillo 6-2, 6-2 at No. 6 singles to clinch the Rebels 23rd consecutive win in the series.

"All those matches (last three) were close losses, so it didn't feel like we were on a losing streak, but it's definitely good to turn it around," Forberg Skogeng said. "We are pleased to take another step towards winning the SEC West."

The weather finally cooperated, with a sunny day and nice temperatures, bringing more people out to the tennis center for this all-important match.

"To be able to play at home on a beautiful day with an outstanding crowd, that's what it's all about," Chadwick said. "We're happy to be back on the winning track."

#17 Ole Miss 5
#37 Auburn 2

DOUBLES
1. Thiemann/Thiemann (OM) def. Puetz/Stamchev (AU) 9-8(1)
2. Vorster/Lutjen (OM) def. Mies/Monteiro (AU) 8-0
3. Hewitt/Lopasso (AU) def. Fowler/Forberg Skogeng (OM) 8-3
Order of Finish: 3, 2, 1
SINGLES
1. Tim Puetz (AU) def. Marcel Thiemann (OM) 6-4, 6-3
2. Tucker Vorster (OM) def. Tim Hewitt (AU) 6-4, 6-2
3. Alex Stamchev (AU) def. Chris Thiemann (OM) 6-4, 6-4
4. Jonas Lutjen (OM) def. Lucas Lopasso (AU) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
5. Harry Fowler (OM) def. Oliver Strecker (AU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Adrian Forberg Skogeng (OM) def. Nick Maurillo (AU) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish: 5, 2, 3, 6, 1, 4

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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