Wildcats End Nonconference Slate on Sunday
LEXINGTON, Ky.—The No. 15 Kentucky women’s tennis team will close up the nonconference schedule on Sunday, playing host to Samford and UT Martin inside the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex. The match against the Bulldogs is slated for 10 a.m. ET, while the Wildcats will take on the Skyhawks at 4 p.m.
Kentucky is currently riding an eight-match winning streak with a season record of 9-1, with the only loss coming against No. 3 Michigan, then ranked at No. 14 in the nation, in the championship final of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend Regional. Since the 4-3 setback, Kentucky has allowed just five points by its last eight opponents, blanking No. 59 Illinois, No. 63 Indiana, Princeton and San Diego State.
In their most recent outing, the Wildcats quickly dismantled Indiana on Wednesday morning with a 4-0 clinch victory. The doubles pairings of Justina Mikulskyte/Nadia Ravita and Mami Adachi/Kate Lanier earned the first point for the Wildcats before Ravita and Adachi both earned 6-1, 6-2 victories over their respective opponents to give UK a 3-0 lead. Mikulskyte sealed the match with a 6-3, 6-4 win in No. 1 singles, marking the sixth straight match that Kentucky has secured the win by going up 4-0 on an opponent.
Samford holds a 3-4 record this season, and Kentucky will be its third opponent from the Southeastern Conference. The Bulldogs suffered 7-0 losses to both No. 61 Auburn, Jan. 30, and No. 25 Mississippi State, Feb. 20. Samford’s No. 1 doubles pairing of Carita Moolman and Jessica Northcutt have reaped the most success for the team, holding a 5-1 record with the only loss coming against Middle Tennessee’s Tarani Kamoe and Linn Timmermann. Most recently, the duo upended Mississippi State’s Madison Harrison and Georgiana Patrasc, ranked No. 51 in the nation, in a 6-4 decision. The two also represent Samford in No. 1 and 2 singles, with Northcutt holding a 2-5 record in the No. 1 spot while Moolman is 3-4 at No. 2 singles.
UT Martin is looking for its first win, as the Skyhawks have a 0-6 start to the season. Kentucky will also be the third SEC institution for the team, with earlier losses to Tennessee on Jan. 30, 7-0, and Auburn on Feb. 6, 4-0. The Skyhawks have struggled to put up points, scoring just three throughout their six matches. The No. 1 doubles team of Jemima Potter and Sarah Candeloro have seen the most success, going 3-2 on the season and contributing to two of UT Martin’s three total points. Only one Skyhawk has recorded a win in singles, with Hitomi Naito securing a 7-5, 6-3 win over Troy’s Hannah Seizer in No. 2 singles.
Live results and streaming for the match can be found here.
UK athletics marketing, in conjunction with the men’s and women’s tennis programs, is excited to announce the launch of The Wildcat Advantage, Kentucky’s new tennis fan club. Members can accumulate points to trade in and receive prizes by signing in at matches they attend for both the men’s and women’s teams. Members will also be signed up for an email group to receive reminders of upcoming tennis matches. Members of The Wildcat Advantage can earn a point by signing in at each tennis match and can earn additional points for signing friends up for the club. Prizes include The Wildcat Advantage t-shirts, Papa John’s pizza coupons, and exclusive tennis experiences throughout the season.
Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the Kentucky women’s tennis team and all 22 varsity sports. For additional info, notes, and behind-the-scenes updates, follow the team on Twitter at @UKWomensTennis and on Facebook.
