Sept. 17, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Three University of Kentucky men’s tennis stars are ranked in the International Tennis Association Preseason rankings, including senior Brad Cox and juniors Eric Quigley and Alex Musialek, the association announced recently.
UK is led in the rankings by Quigley, who is ranked eighth in singles and doubles. The No. 8 ranking for Quigley ties his highest career singles ranking. He was also listed eighth in the nation prior to the 2010 spring season.
The native of Pewee Valley, Ky., finished with All-America honors in both singles and doubles, becoming only the third player in school history to achieve the feat and the first to be named singles and doubles All-American as a sophomore. Quigley, who finished the 2010 season ranked No. 10 in singles and No. 17 in doubles with Cox, had a 21-6 dual-match record and 42-12 overall after reaching the NCAA Singles Championship Round of 16. Quigley, who played at the No. 1 singles position all year for UK, was a vital part of the team’s success with Kentucky, posting an 18-3 record in dual matches where Quigley won in singles. On top of his two All-American honors, Quigley also was named first team All-Southeastern Conference and ITA Ohio Valley Region Player to Watch.
Quigley also holds a No. 8 preseason ranking in doubles with Cox, giving the duo their highest career ranking. Quigley and Cox started the 2010 spring season ranked ninth in doubles but jumped in the preseason rankings this year after advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships last year. For their effort in the postseason, Quigley and Cox each earned All-American status. Cox became the first player in UK history to earn All-American status in each of his first three years.
Musialek is ranked No. 32 in singles. The native of Dax, France, hit a ranking of No. 29 last spring. Musialek, who ended the season ranked No. 48 in singles, was also impressive in 2010, playing at No. 2 singles for Kentucky. Musialek ended the season with a strong 20-7 record in dual matches while recording the best SEC record on the team with at 8-2 mark. Musialek was selected to participate in the NCAA Singles Championship, giving UK its second player in the field for the first time since 2000. The Frenchman posted some of the most impressive wins of the season, defeating the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked players in college tennis. The sophomore’s win over No. 3 Michael Shabaz helped lead to UK’s historic victory against No. 2 Virginia while his victory over No. 2 J.P. Smith of Tennessee helped him claim the Crimson Tide Fall Championships title. For his efforts, Musialek was named second team All-SEC.
Kentucky kicks off the 2010 fall schedule Friday at the UNLV Invitational.
