April 6, 2012

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team grabbed its first Southeastern Conference victory against Mississippi State. The Wildcats faced the No. 62 Bulldogs, defeating them 5-1 in Starkville, Miss.

Multiple Wildcats stepped up for the impressive win, with a highlight coming from Jessica Stiles. She faced 113^th-ranked Alexandra Perper at the No. 1 singles slot and provided quite a challenge. The started off the match tight, required a tiebreaker. Perper grabbed the set, but Stiles found a new gear. She put on a dominating performance in the second set, taking it 6-1. The match entered another tiebreaker for decision, where Stiles continued her powerful play, taking the set for the victory. She post a final result of 6-7(3), 6-1, 1-0(10).

Sophomore Khristina Blajkevtich played a similar match to Stiles against Olesya Tsigvintseva, also bringing home a victory. She fell in the first set but recovered with unstoppable play, taking the second set and dominating in the final tiebreaker. Her play earned her a win with a, 2-6, 6-2, 1-0 (8), final result.

Sophomore Caitlin McGraw and freshman Stephanie Fox both defeated their opponents in straight sets to grab two more points for the Wildcats. McGraw faced Petra Ferancova at the No. 4 singles slot and won, 6-3, 6-1. Fox faced Rosaline Dion and eased through her match to post a final result of 6-1, 6-2.

Kentucky’s sole loss came after freshman Edmee Morin-Kougoucheff was forced to retire early due to injury. Earlier, she helped the Wildcats grab the doubles point as she paired with Blajkevtich to take the match against Dion and Ferancova.

As Kentucky secured the victory, the match was decided at 5-1.

The Cats will continue their Southern traveling as they take on Ole Miss at noon ET on Sunday.

For more information on the UK women’s tennis team, log on to UKathletics.com.

AGATE

Kentucky 5, No. 62 Mississippi State 1

Starkville, Miss.

April 6, 2012

Results:

Doubles:

1)       Stiles/McGraw (UK) def. Perper/Tran (MSU) 8-4

2)       Blajkevitch/Morin (UK) def. Dion/Ferancova (MSU) 8-4

Singles:

1)       Jessica Stiles (UK) def. No. 113 Alexandra Perper (MSU) 7-6 (3), 6-1, 1-0 (10)

2)       Khristina Blajkevtich (UK) def. Olesya Tsigvintseva (MSU) 2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (8)

3)       Naomi Tran (MSU) def. Edmee Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) 3-6, 6-1, 3-2 (ret.)

4)       Caitlin McGraw (UK) def. Petra Ferancova (MSU) 6-3, 6-1

5)       Stephanie Fox (UK) def. Rosaline Dion (MSU) 6-1, 6-2

Order of Finish:

Singles: 4,5,2,1,3

Doubles: 1,2