May 10, 2014
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Ky. – The No. 32 University of Kentucky women’s tennis team fell 4-1 to the University of Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Saturday afternoon at the Boars Head Sports Club. The match was originally scheduled for outdoors at the Snyder Tennis Center, but was moved indoors due to rain.
“Even though it didn’t go our way today, I’m so proud of the way everyone fought today,” senior Caitlin McGraw said. “It’s been really awesome to be a part of a team that has had such a turn around since my freshman year. I am going to miss these girls and being able to compete with them every week. I’m really excited that CeCe and I still have an opportunity to compete in the NCAA Doubles Tournament at the end of the month.”
Kentucky (17-12, 6-9 SEC) pulled ahead of the Cavaliers after winning the doubles point. No. 56 Aldila Sutjiadi and Nadia Ravita upset No. 7 Julia Elbaba and Rachel Pierson, 8-3, at the No. 2 doubles position to give Kentucky an advantage. Junior Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff and sophomore Kirsten Lewis followed with an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles to clinch the doubles point.
In singles play, Virginia won four straight matches to secure its spot in the Sweet 16. Tying the match, No. 53 Stephanie Nauta defeated junior Kelsey Dieters, 6-4, 6-4, at the No. 3 singles spot. Ravita fell on court one to No. 4 Julia Elbaba and Morin-Kougoucheff couldn’t force a third set on court 4 and Kentucky faced a 3-1 deficit. In a tightly contested match, Lewis entered into a tiebreak with No. 76 Rachel Pierson. The Wildcat ultimately dropped the match, 3-6, 6-4, 2-6.
“I’m so proud of the way everyone competed today,” senior Cece Witten said. “We all left it out on the court. We’ve come so far as a team and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of girls to spend my four years with. I know these girls have great things in store for the future and I’m so happy I got to be a part of putting Kentucky women’s tennis back on the map. I’m sad that this is my last dual match with these girls and I’ll miss them like crazy. I’m excited to have one last go around in Athens with Caitlin and I can’t wait to give it all we’ve got.”
Witten, McGraw and Ravita will travel to Athens, Ga., Tuesday, May 20, to compete in the first rounds of NCAA Singles and Doubles Tournament. Ravita received an at-large bid to the singles competition while Witten and McGraw will pair up for the doubles competition.
#4 Virginia 4, #32 Kentucky 1
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Boar’s Head Sports Club
Doubles
1. #34 Witten/McGraw (UK) vs. Nauta/Xi (UVa) vs. 7-7 (5-2), DNF
2. #56 Sutjiadi/Ravita (UK) def. #7 Elbaba/Pierson (UVa) 8-3
3. Morin-Kougoucheff/Lewis (UK) def. Collins/Epstein (UVa) 8-6
Order of Finish: 2,3*
Singles
1. #4 Julia Elbaba (UVa) def. #47 Nadia Ravita (UK) 6-4, 6-0
2. #32 Danielle Collins (UVa) vs. #125 Aldila Sutjiadi (UK) 6-1, 3-6, 3-1, DNF
3. #53 Stephanie Nauta (UVa) def. Kelsey Dieters (UK) 6-3, 6-4
4. #76 Rachel Pierson (UVa) def. Edmee Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) 6-1, 7-6(5)
5. Maci Epstein (UVa) def. Kirsten Lewis (UK) 6-3, 4-6, 6-2
6. Caryssa Peretz (UVa) vs. Caitlin McGraw (UK) 6-3, 5-7, 3-1, DNF
Order of Finish: 3,1,4,5*
