May 13, 2000

Berkeley, Calif. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team was eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tennis Championships on Saturday. The Cats fell to the 40th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, who were without the services of their No. 1 singles player Martina Nedorostova, by a score of 5-4.

The Aggies jumped out to a commanding lead over the Cats by winning three of the first four singles courts in straight sets before the Cats knotted the score at three.

Sophomore Lauren Rookledge recorded UK’s first victory of the match with her straight sets win over Lisa Dingwall. Freshman Amy Trefethen also notched a singles victory for the Cats by coming back from a set down to best Kathryn Scott at the No. 6 singles spot. In the last singles match to be decided, junior Brooke Skeen fought back from being down match point in the second set to top Cassie Haas in a grueling three-set match for a UK win, tying the score going into doubles competition.

Texas A&M clinched the victory by winning two of the three doubles contests to take the match and advance to the second round. UK’s only doubles win came on Court 3 where Rookledge teamed up with freshman Jill Buckley to get an 8-2 victory.

“I am sorry for this team that we didn’t get a win today,” coach Mark Guilbeau said. “We have learned a lot this past week while preparing for this NCAA Tournament. I have to give Texas A&M all the credit. They came in without their best player and played with the maturity that it takes to win at this level. This experience has helped us see what it takes to reach our goals and we intend to do much better next season.”

The Cats finish their season with a record of 12-11.

Agate: A&M 5, UK 4

Singles

1. Olivia Karikova, A&M def. Carolina Mayorga, UK 6-4, 6-4
2. Brooke Skeen, UK def. Cassie Haas, A&M 4-6, 7-5, 6-3
3. Leah Killen, A&M def. Sarah Witten, UK 6-1, 6-2
4. Lauren Rookledge, UK def. Lisa Dingwall, A&M 6-2, 6-2
5. Eva Marcial, A&M def. Jill Buckley, UK 6-4, 6-2
6. Amy Trefethen, UK def. Kathryn Scott, A&M 2-6, 7-5, 6-1

Doubles

1. Dingwall/Karikova, A&M def. Mayorga/Witten (#29), UK 8-5
2. Scott/Marcial, A&M def. Skeen/Bradwell, UK 8-5
3. Rookledge/Buckley, UK def. Haas/Killen, A&M 8-2