September 22, 1998

BALTIMORE, Md. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team returns to action on Tuesday, when Wildcats Massoumeh Emami, Kelly Brown and Shannon Stafford take the courts in qualifying matches at the National Clay Court Championships.

Emami, ranked 76th in the ITA preseason poll, and Brown received byes into Tuesday’s matches based on their strong 1997-98 campaigns. Freshman Shannon Stafford, playing in her first collegiate tournament, had advanced to the final pre-qualifying round before falling to Marcella Kotescova of Penn State, 6-4, 6-4. However, Stafford was selected by the ITA as one of three “lucky losers” and will advance into Tuesday’s qualifying rounds.

Brooke Skeen of Kentucky had also advanced to the final pre-qualifying round, but was ousted by Sandra Fischer of Colorado, 6-3, 7-5. Skeen may still be selected as an on-site alternate for further tournament play.

ITA National Clay Court Championships


Suburban Country Club
Baltimore, Md.

Third Round

Marcella Kotescova, Penn State, def. Shannon Stafford, Kentucky, 6-4, 6-4
Sandra Fischer, Colorado, def. Brooke Skeen, Kentucky, 6-3, 7-5.