Dominant Singles Play Leads No. 8 Auburn Past Ole Miss

The Auburn men’s tennis team delivered another powerful performance on Friday afternoon, showcasing their depth and resilience with a 5-2 road victory over Ole Miss in Oxford. Ranked No. 8 nationally, Auburn leaned heavily on its singles lineup to turn the match in its favor, overcoming early adversity in doubles and continuing their upward trajectory as one of the premier teams in the Southeastern Conference.

With the win, Auburn improved to 18-5 on the season and 8-3 in SEC play, strengthening their position not only for the upcoming SEC Tournament but also for NCAA seeding. The Tigers entered the match aware of the challenge that Ole Miss could pose, particularly in their home environment, but showed impressive poise and individual excellence when it mattered most.

The match began with doubles, where Auburn found themselves in an early hole. Ole Miss, unranked but dangerous, came out firing with high energy on the doubles courts. At No. 1 doubles, Auburn’s top duo was unable to generate the momentum they had built over the course of the season, falling 6-3 to an aggressive Rebel pairing. Meanwhile, at No. 2 doubles, the Tigers were locked in a tight battle but ultimately couldn’t turn the tide, dropping the set 7-5 as Ole Miss claimed the doubles point.

It was a frustrating start for Auburn, which has typically thrived in doubles play throughout the year. Head coach Bobby Reynolds, however, didn’t waver. In fact, he seemed confident that his team’s strength in singles would come through once again. That confidence proved well placed.

Singles play began with a surge of energy from Auburn across all six courts. The Tigers flipped the script almost immediately, with four players taking early first-set leads and setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance. Senior standout Alejandro Moreno delivered the first blow, racing through his match at No. 4 singles. With powerful groundstrokes and pinpoint placement, Moreno overwhelmed his opponent in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, to level the match at 1-1.

From there, Auburn’s depth took over. At No. 2 singles, sophomore Jan Galka put together one of his most composed performances of the season. Galka, known for his fluid movement and sharp cross-court winners, dictated play from the baseline and played with a calm intensity. He cruised through his match, winning 6-3, 6-2 to give Auburn the lead.

Meanwhile, senior top-liner Tyler Stice, playing at No. 1 singles, found himself in a tense battle with Ole Miss’s top player. The first set went to a tiebreak, with Stice pulling out a dramatic 7-6 (5) win after fending off two set points. That momentum proved crucial, as he carried it into the second set and closed things out 6-3 with a commanding service game. His win pushed Auburn’s lead to 3-1 and put the pressure squarely on the home team.

One of the most impressive performances of the day came from freshman Finn Bass at No. 6 singles. Bass, who has emerged as a reliable force in the bottom half of Auburn’s lineup, showed maturity beyond his years. He displayed a mix of power and consistency that wore down his opponent, particularly in the long rallies. Bass sealed the match for Auburn with a 6-4, 6-3 win, clinching the team victory at 4-1.

Even with the overall result decided, the Tigers continued to fight on the remaining courts. At No. 3 singles, senior Raul Dobai battled through a three-set war that epitomized the gritty identity Auburn has forged this season. After dropping the first set 4-6, Dobai responded with a 6-2 second set and edged out the decider 7-5, earning Auburn’s fifth point of the day.

Ole Miss would take the final match of the afternoon at No. 5 singles, where Auburn’s player retired late in the second set due to an apparent injury. While a disappointing end on that court, it didn’t take away from what had been an otherwise impressive showcase for the Tigers.

After the match, Reynolds praised his team’s resolve and the mental toughness they displayed after the early setback in doubles.

“This was a test for us, and I’m really proud of how our guys responded,” Reynolds said. “You go down in doubles, on the road, in a tough environment, and that can rattle you. But this group is mature and competitive, and they showed a lot of heart out there. Our singles play was as good as it’s been all season.”

The victory was emblematic of Auburn’s season-long theme: depth and versatility. The Tigers have consistently shown they can win in multiple ways, whether it’s dominant doubles, top-heavy singles strength, or clutch performances in the bottom half of the lineup. Friday’s win against Ole Miss highlighted that latter trait in particular, as the Tigers won four of the five completed singles matches in straight sets.

Auburn’s singles dominance is no accident. The team has built its identity around conditioning, consistency, and a team-first mindset. That approach has paid off with contributions coming from every spot in the lineup. Whether it’s veterans like Stice and Moreno, rising stars like Galka, or newcomers like Bass, the Tigers have developed a formula that’s working at the highest level of college tennis.

This latest win comes at a critical point in the season. With the SEC Tournament approaching, Auburn is in the hunt for a top seed and a favorable path in postseason play. More importantly, each win bolsters the Tigers’ national resume for the NCAA Tournament, where home court advantage and seeding can be the difference between a deep run and an early exit.

With just one regular season match remaining—an anticipated clash against No. 5 Kentucky—Auburn is in a strong position. The Wildcats represent a different kind of challenge, with elite talent at the top of the lineup and a fearsome doubles presence. But if Friday’s match proved anything, it’s that Auburn has the composure and quality to handle whatever is thrown at them.

Looking ahead, the Tigers will aim to maintain their momentum and continue to sharpen their form heading into postseason play. For Reynolds and his coaching staff, the focus will be on fine-tuning the details, managing fatigue, and ensuring the team is both physically and mentally prepared for what lies ahead.

“Every match from here on out is going to be a battle,” Reynolds said. “There’s no room for letdowns. But I like where we are. Our guys are locked in, they’re supporting each other, and they believe in what we’re doing. That’s the kind of culture that wins championships.”

Indeed, Auburn’s blend of experience, talent, and chemistry has made them one of the most feared teams in the country. And while much of the attention in the tennis world may still be focused on traditional bluebloods, the Tigers are quietly building a legitimate contender in 2025.

As the regular season winds down, the message is clear: Auburn is not just winning—they’re doing it with authority. And with singles performances like those they delivered against Ole Miss, there’s every reason to believe this team could make a serious run when the stakes are highest.

For now, the Tigers will enjoy a well-earned victory, one built on heart, hustle, and some of the best singles play in the country.