Kentucky Hosts Murray State, Dayton on Saturday

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Following the first setback of the 2016 season, the Kentucky Wildcats men’s tennis team will look for two more wins on Saturday afternoon, playing host to the Murray State Racers and Dayton Flyers in the Hillary J. Boone Tennis Complex.

Kentucky will open the day with Murray State at 1 p.m. before facing Dayton. First serve with the Flyers is currently set for 5 p.m.

Last time out, Kentucky suffered its first defeat of 2016, 6-1, to defending national champion No. 1 Virginia. The Wildcats lone victory came at the top singles court, where sophomore William Bushamuka defeated the reigning NCAA singles champion Ryan Shane in straight sets, 7-6, 6-3. By defeating Shane, ranked eleventh in the country, Bushamuka now has two top-15 wins this season. The win over Shane marks the sophomore’s highest ranked win, topping his win over No. 12 Nicholas Alvarez of Duke earlier this season. Bushamuka is now 5-0 in singles matches this season.

Despite falling to the Cavaliers, the Wildcats climbed two spots in the national rankings, cracking the top 50 at No. 49 in the country. 

Murray State enters Saturday at 1-1 with a matchup against Middle Tennessee State pending before the Kentucky matchup. Dayton sits at 3-2, facing Butler on Friday evening before playing the Wildcats Saturday evening. 

Kentucky boasts a pair of ranked singles players in the preseason polls. Bushamuka ranks No. 79, while junior Nils Ellefsen comes in at No. 117. The Wildcats have also seen an influx of talent at the mid-season point, with freshmen Ryotaro Matsumura and Enzo Wallart added to the fold before the beginning of the dual season.

For more information on the Kentucky men’s tennis team, follow @UKMensTennis on Twitter or Kentucky Men’s Tennis Team on Facebook.