The 25th-ranked University of Kentucky women’s tennis team closed out its regular season with an impressive performance that sawthe Cats fall short of an upset over the fourth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 4-3.

The Wildcats (12-9, 5-6 SEC) took the early lead by cruising to doubles victories on Courts 1 and 2 to take control of the match.Senior Brooke Skeen and junior Lauren Rookledge, the nation’s 19th-ranked pair, had little trouble with 30th-ranked KimGates and Vilmarie Castellvi, winning 8-3. The UK duo of junior Carolina Mayorga and sophomore SarahWitten, the country’s 23rd-ranked squad, also quickly defeated 24th-ranked Alison Ojeda and Crystal Cleveland8-4.

In singles action, the Volunteers (20-2, 9-1 SEC) turned the match around by taking four of the first fivematches to clinch the UT victory. Sophomore Shannon Stafford and Mayorga both picked up singles wins forthe Cats to make the final tally 4-3 in favor of Tennessee. No. 52 Mayorga slotted yet another big win over aranked opponent with her 6-2, 6-3 victory over 38th-ranked Ojeda. Stafford also looked impressive byoverpowering Brooke Cordell in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

“This was a very good match,” Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “Physically we are right where we want to be, wesimply need to advance in other areas to complete our all-around game.”

The Cats will now travel to Starkville, Miss., home of the 2001 Southeastern Conference Championship onThursday, April 19, through Sunday, April 22. Pairings for the tournament were not available at press time.

AGATE:UT 4, UK 3Singles1.      Carolina Mayorga (#52), UK def. Alison Ojeda (#38), UT 6-2, 6-32.      Kim Gates, UT def. Sarah Witten, UK                         7-5, 6-43.      Vilmarie Castellvi, UT def. Brooke Skeen (#91), UK      7-5, 7-54.      Agnes Wiski, UT def. Leigh Bradwell, UK                        6-1, 6-45.      Crystal Cleveland, UT def. Lauren Rookledge, UK                6-2, 6-06.      Shannon Stafford, UK def. Brooke Cordell, UT                  6-2, 6-2Doubles (one point for two victories)1.    Skeen/Rookledge (#19), UK def. Gates/Castellvi (#30), UT    8-32.    Mayorga/Witten (#23), UK def. Ojeda/Cleveland (#24), UT     8-43.    Stafford/Bradwell, UK vs. Wiski/Cordell, UT                DNF