May 13, 1999

The University of Kentucky men’s tennis team faces East Tennessee State inthe first round of the NCAA Tournament at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, atthe Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. The Wildcats are making their ninth NCAAappearance in 11 years.

Indiana (14-9) faces No. 14 South Carolina (17-11) in the first match ofthe day at 11 a.m.

Saturday’s winners will square off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, for a tripto the NCAA Tennis Championships in Athens, Ga., May 22-30.

Kentucky (15-9) has steadily improved since January, climbing from No. 30at the beginning of the season to its current ranking of 13th. UK advancedto the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament in April. East Tennessee State(18-3) won the Southern Conference Tournament by defeating Chattanooga.

“We know that East Tennessee State is a good team,” UK coach Dennis Emerysaid. “Their talent level is pretty high.”

Emery said that the Cats are ready to compete after the three-week breakbetween the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s an interesting situation when you have that three weeks off,” Emerysaid. “Our practices have gone really well and I know the players areanxious to play someone besides each other.”

South Carolina, which advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournamentbefore falling to champion LSU, is making their six straight NCAAappearance. Indiana fell in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

“The tournament should be a great one for fans,” Emery said. “This is theonly regional in the NCAA Tournament that has two top 15 teams competing.”

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.