April 22, 1999

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Kentucky men’s tennis coach Dennis Emerywas named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, it was announcedWednesday.

Emery, who has led Kentucky to a 14-8 record this season, earns the awardfor the second time in his 15 seasons at Kentucky.

The Wildcats have progressed steadily since they were ranked No. 32 inJanuary. Featuring a lineup that includes no seniors and three freshmen, UKupset No. 11 South Carolina and No. 9 Alabama, climbing to a ranking of13th in the country. The Cats continued their exceptional play by defeatingsecond-ranked Illinois last Sunday, and UK now looks to enter the top 10when the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings are released in twoweeks.

“This is a great honor,” Emery said. “[Assistant coach] Ford Lankford hasdone a great job this year, and I consider this an award for both of us.”

UK junior Carlos Drada was a second team All-SEC selection. Drada, rankedNo. 44 in the country, has an overall record of 22-13 and has played at No.1 or No. 2 in the UK singles lineup this season.