ATLANTA ? The Kentucky women?s tennis team saw its season come to an end on a sweltering Sunday afternoon as third-ranked Georgia Tech held off the Wildcats, 4-0, at the Bill Moore Tennis Center to advance to the round of 16 of the NCAA Championships.
The loss snaps a run of five straight sweet 16 appearances for UK, which had its season end at 19-7. It is the fifth straight year the Wildcats have won at least 19 games. The Yellow Jackets move on with a 25-4 overall record.
Early on, Georgia Tech showed why it would be a tough task for Kentucky to pull off the upset. In doubles, the Yellow Jackets took an early advantage on court three and then pulled away late at No. 1 to seal the 1-0 lead.
Despite trailing heading into singles, UK got off to a great start in singles, earning early breaks on three courts and winning the first set on two. However, as the match wore on, the Wildcats began to slip against a powerful Tech lineup that features six ranked players.
In a microcosm of the singles portion of the match, a 5-3 first-set lead for Sarah Woestmann at No. 3 turned into a 7-5 first-set win for Amanda Craddock. That match was never completed as the Yellow Jackets picked up wins at Nos. 1, 4 and 5 to clinch the victory.
First off was Amanda McDowell, who Whitney Spencer could find no answer for in a 6-0, 6-0 loss at No. 4. McDowell was nearly flawless in ending Spencer?s seven-match win streak.
Sixth-ranked Kristi Miller made it 3-0 when she wrapped up her victory on court one. After dropping the first set 6-1, Kim Coventry battled valiantly, but couldn?t extend the match, falling 6-1, 6-3.
At that point it was clear Georgia Tech would advance, needing only to close out a match on court five for the victory. Christy Striplin, ranked 62nd, had the honor, beating Jessica Giuggioli, 6-1, 6-0 for the final point.
At the time the match was halted, Joelle Schwenk was in a third set with Alison Silverio at No. 2 while Carolina Escamilla held a set lead over Tarryn Rudman on court six. Woestmann and Craddock were mired in a tough second set.
NCAA Tournament First Round
Bill Moore Tennis Center
Georgia Tech 4, Kentucky 0
Doubles
No. 1 ? Miller/McCray (GT) def. Coventry/Woestmann (UK), 8-2.
No. 2 ? Schwenk/Escamilla (UK) vs. Silverio/Craddock (GT), 6-6, suspended.
No. 3 ? Rudman/Flower (GT) def. Spencer/Winebrenner (UK), 8-2.
Singles
No. 1 ? Kristi Miller (GT) def. Kim Coventry (UK), 6-1, 6-3.
No. 2 ? Alison Silvero (GT) led Joelle Schwenk (UK), 0-6, 6-0, 1-0, suspended.
No. 3 ? Amanda Craddock (GT) led Sarah Woestmann (UK), 7-5, 4-2, suspended.
No. 4 ? Amanda McDowell (GT) def. Whitney Spencer (UK), 6-0, 6-0.
No. 5 ? Christy Striplin (GT) def. Jessica Giuggioli (UK), 6-1, 6-0.
No. 6 ? Carolina Escamilla (UK) led Tarryn Rudman (GT), 6-1, 3-5, suspended.
Order of Finish
Doubles: 1, 3.
Singles: 4, 1, 5.
