The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team lost a close match to Florida International University on Thursday, March 15, as junior Carolina Mayorga lost a close final set at No. 1, giving FIU its 16th consecutive win. The two teams were tied for 35th in the country going into the contest.
The Cats (9-5, 3-3) looked strong in doubles, sweeping all three matches to take the point. No. 44 Mayorga and sophomore Sarah Witten knocked off Anneliese Rose and Mari Toro at No. 1 to set the tone for the doubles play.
In singles action, senior Brooke Skeen, the nation’s 79th-ranked player, fell prey to Toro at No. 2, falling in three tough sets, while Witten notched a big victory at No. 2 over Alexandra Guzman to give the Cats a 2-1 advantage. FIU, riding a 15-match unbeaten streak into the match, came alive at Nos. 4 and 5, as Mariana Faustinelli knocked off sophomore Leigh Bradwell, and Cristina Campana took out junior Lauren Rookledge, both in straight sets to take a 3-2 advantage.
Sophomore Amy Trefethen fought through three sets to take her match with Mei Ly at No. 6, knotting the score at three all. All attention focused on No. 1, where No. 54 Rose battled UK’s 77th-ranked Mayorga. Mayorga took the first set by a close count of 6-4 before Rose countered with a 6-3 set to even it. Competition was tough in the third set as Rose overcame Mayorga with the 7-5 tally, handing FIU the victory.
The Cats return to action at home on Saturday, March 24 as they play host to No. 8 Notre Dame.
Doubles
No. 1 Carolina Mayorga/Sarah Witten (UK) def. Anneliese Rose/Mari Toro (FIU) 8-6
No. 2 Brooke Skeen/Lauren Rookledge (UK) def. Alexandra Guzman/Cristina Campana (FIU) 8-6
No. 3 Leigh Bradwell/Shannon Stafford (UK) def. Mariana Faustinelli/Nazly Elsawaf (FIU) 8-5
Singles
No. 1 Anneliese Rose (FIU) def. Carolina Mayorga (UK) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
No. 2 Mari Toro (FIU) def. Brooke Skeen (UK) 1-6, 6-3, 6-1
No. 3 Sarah Witten (UK) def. Alexandra Guzman (FIU) 6-4, 7-6
No. 4 Mariana Faustinelli (FIU) def. Leigh Bradwell (UK) 6-3, 6-3
No. 5 Cristina Campana (FIU) def. Lauren Rookledge (UK) 6-2, 6-2
No. 6 Amy Trefethen (UK) def. Mei Ly (FIU) 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
