Jan. 26, 2002

The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team fell short in its bid to upset the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, Jan. 26, in the final match of the Minnesota Court Classic in Minneapolis. The 23rd-ranked Cats (5-1) were defeated 5-2 by highly-ranked Duke, suffering their first loss of the season.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead over the Blue Devils by taking the doubles point in impressive fashion. UK swept the doubles competition but could not carry the momentum into singles play.

In singles action, Duke received wins on five of six courts to tally the 5-2 win over the Cats. UK’s lone singles win came on junior Leigh Bradwell’s straight-set triumph over 90th-ranked Saras Arasu, 6-2, 6-2. The win gave Bradwell her first win over a ranked opponent this season.

“I am extremely proud of this team and the way they played tonight,” Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “I feel that this performance proves we can play with the best teams in the country, it is just a matter of us wanting it more and playing with intensity.”

The Cats will hit the courts again on Saturday, Feb. 2 in South Bend, Ind., when they face off against 14th-ranked Notre Dame. The match is set to begin at noon.

AgateDU 5, UK 2Singles1. Kelly McCain (#3), DU def. Sarah Witten (#53), UK (6-4, 6-1)2. Amanda Johnson (#26), DU def. Carolina Mayorga (#30), UK (6-2, 6-2)3. Julie DeRoo (#15), DU def. Lauren Rookledge, UK (6-2, 6-4)4. Ioana Plesu, DU def. Amy Trefethen (#92), UK (0-6, 6-4, 6-2)5. Leigh Bradwell, UK def. Saras Arasu (#90), DU (6-2, 6-2)6. Katie Granson, DU def. Jill Buckley, UK (0-6, 7-5, 7-6)

Doubles1. Witten/Mayorga (#10), UK def. McCain/Johnson, DU (8-5)2. Bradwell/Rookledge (#49), UK def. DeRoo/Adams, DU (9-8)3. Trefethen/Jill Buckley (#27), UK def. Granson/Plesu, DU (8-4)