Nov. 6, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Two members of the Kentucky women’s tennis team advance in singles action during the SEC Fall Coaches Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Senior Carolina Escamilla and freshman Jennifer Stone each notched wins during the first singles matches of the tournament in their respective draws at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.

Escamilla easily defeated Auburn’s Jill Hastenrath in the gold draw, 6-3, 6-2, to advance in the tournament. The Medellin, Colombia, native will vie for a spot in the semifinals during Friday’s matches against host school Alabama’s Meritt Emery.

Kentucky’s Stone registered a victory against Mississipi State Bulldog Natalia Mayuk during the first round of singles play. Stone outplayed Mayuk, 6-4, 6-3, and is set to play the Commodores’ Chelsea Preeg in the second round of the blue draw.

The Wildcats’ No. 55 Megan Broderick fell to Melissa Koning of the Auburn Tigers in the crimson draw’s first round, 6-2, 6-3. Broderick will continue match play in the back draw against Volunteer Rosalia Alda. UK newcomer Caroline Lilley also competed in the Fall Classic but was forced to retire early against Tennessee’s Jennifer Meredith, 3-0, ret.

Doubles action begins Friday morning with the Cats’ Broderick and Stone pairing up to take on MSU’s Valeriya Makarycheva and Jordan Zachary in the doubles gold draw.

The fall tournament provides a preseason showcase for SEC women’s tennis, featuring players from 10 of the top-60 teams in the nation, according to the May 23 Fila/ITA ratings. Eight teams finished last season ranked in the country’s top-30.

The Coaches Classic consists of four singles draws of 16 with both a front and back draw along with two doubles draws of 16 teams with front at back draws. Friday, Saturday and Sunday all have 10 a.m. (ET) starts.

Complete tournament information is available at Rolltide.com. To follow the Wildcat women’s tennis team visit www.UKathletics.com.