The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team captured its first Southeastern Conference victory on Saturday, Feb. 24, as theyoverpowered the 27th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels, 6-1, to up their record to 5-3 overall and 1-2 SEC.

Junior Carolina Mayorga defeated No. 23 Julie DeRoo for the second time in her career after a three setvictory at No.1. Leigh Bradwell and Lauren Rookledge both gave intense performances to overpower OleMiss’s other ranked players, No. 53 Mira Radu and No. 90 Karem Harboe.

Kentucky’s Sarah Witten fought back from being down 1-4 in the first set to defeat Alesya Ignatieva in twosets, 7-6 (5) and 6-1. Amy Trefethen also gave a powerful performance to gain a win over Ole Miss’s AudraAdams 6-3 and 6-1. The Wildcats also played three very impressive matches to sweep the doubles point.

“This win was a good step in the right direction,” Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “Leigh (Bradwell) played herbest match for UK while Carolina (Mayorga) and Sarah (Witten) showed great effort and composure throughtheir performances. Our team was extremely impressive today and that is good news for our upcomingmatch”.

The Wildcats stay in Mississippi as they travel to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs onMonday, Feb. 26, at 1:30 p.m.

UK 6, UM 1
Singles1.    Carolina Mayorga, UK def. #23 Julie DeRoo, UM         3-6, 7-6(8), 7-52.    Hanna-Katri Aalto, UM def. #78 Brooke Skeen, UK         2-6, 4-63.    Sarah Witten, UK def. Alesya Ignatieva, UM              7-6(5), 6-14.    Leigh Bradwell, UK def. #53 Mira Radu, UM             6-3, 6-25.    Lauren Rookledge, UK def. #90 Karem Harboe, UM          6-2, 6-26.    Amy Trefethen, UK def. Audra Adams, UM             6-3, 6-1Doubles (one point for two victories)1.    Mayorga/Witten, UK def. Aalto/Ignatieva, UM         8-22.    Skeen/ Rookledge, UK def. DeRoo/Adams, UM            8-33.    Bradwell/Stafford, UK def. Radu/Harboe, UM 8-3