SPECIAL TO THE NEWS

ATHENS, Ga. — Kyndall White drove in two runs and Anna Thompson struck out nine as the Auburn softball earned a double-header split with a 2-1 win in Game 2 over Georgia Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs won Game 1, 3-2.

Auburn improved to 34-14 overall and 10-11 in the Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs dropped to 36-17 overall and 9-10 in the SEC.

“This was a much-needed win for our team,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “Anna threw a great game and did a good job of keeping their hitters off balance. We got the big hit when we needed it and didn’t give them anything.”

Marx, Mazzaferro ready for U.S. Nationals
Auburn divers Kelly Marx and Dan Mazzaferro return to action this week as the duo travels to Minneapolis, Minn. for the 2008 Speedo USA Diving Spring National Championships.

The five-day competition is key for many divers across the country as it represents the final opportunity to qualify for this summer’s Olympic Trials.

Mazzaferro, who has already qualified for Trials, will compete in the 10-meter platform competition and the synchronized platform, teaming up with Miami’s J.J. Kinzbach. Marx is slated to compete on the 3-meter springboard.

Tsyrenov named All-SEC first-teamer
BIRMINGHAM — Auburn junior tennis star Alexey Tsyrenov was named to the All-Southeastern Conference first team, the league announced Wednesday, while freshman Tim Puetz earned both second-team and All-Freshman team honors.

Tsyrenov, a native of Chita, Russia, led Auburn in the No. 1 singles position, posting a 12-7 record during the regular season. He also played No. 1 doubles alongside senior Terence Nugent, posting a 13-9 record.

Puetz, a native of Vsingen, Germany, started off the season in the No. 3 spot, but quickly assumed the No. 2 role for Auburn, posting a team-best 16-7 record. He also compiled a 12-9 doubles mark, teaming up mostly with junior Lukas Marsoun.

Men’s tennis travels to SEC Tournament
The Auburn men’s tennis team begins post-season play this week as it heads to Fayetteville, Ark. for the SEC Tournament.

Play begins today as the seventh-seeded Tigers (10-11, 4-7 SEC) take on the No. 12 seed Kentucky (11-14, 3-8 SEC) at 10:30 a.m.

The Wildcats finished their season ranked No. 43 in the nation and boast 11 regular-season wins, one of which was a 4-3 win over Auburn in Lexington, Ky.

Prowell, Robertson named hoops co-MVPs
Senior Quan Prowell and junior Quantez Robertson were named co-Most Valuable Players at the 19th annual Auburn Basketball Awards Banquet on Wednesday at the Hotel at Auburn University and the pair combined for eight awards.

Prowell was selected the Outstanding Offensive Player, Outstanding Rebounder and received the Iron Tiger Award. He averaged a team-high 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 54 percent from the field, 41 percent from 3-point range and 72 percent from the foul line. 

Robertson garnered the Playmaker Award for the third straight year as well as the Outstanding Defensive Player and the Iron Man Award, both for the second consecutive time.