Feb. 13, 2002

After winning seven of its first eight matches, the University of Kentucky women’s tennis team jumped eight spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings to No. 16. It is the highest ranking received by a Wildcat squad in over three years.

“It has been a steady progression to reach this level,” Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “This has been a long-term process and it has required the efforts of past players as well as current players. I am pleased for this team to finally receive credit for its hard work. With this significant ranking, we are in the middle of the standings and if we continue to play well the sky is the limit.”

The Wildcats have defeated regional-rivals Cincinnati and Marshall, as well as besting 14th-ranked Notre Dame and Purdue in an Indiana road swing that improved their record to 7-1. The Cats lone loss came at the hands of second-ranked Duke in a close decision in the finals of the Minnesota Court Classic.

“We are extremely happy with this ranking, but we are not satisfied,” senior Carolina Mayorga said. “If we continue to work hard, we can continue to climb in the rankings.”

UK will have a chance to move up even further in the rankings with their strength of schedule in the coming weeks. The Cats will travel to Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 16 before hosting three consecutive top-10 teams. Tenth-ranked North Carolina will travel to Lexington on Feb. 23, with No. 8 Tennessee and top-ranked Georgia coming to the Bluegrass the weekend of March 1-3.

“This is a great feeling and we are happy to be in this position,” junior Sarah Witten said. “We now feel the obligation to pay more attention to detail and improve this ranking. The season is still early and anything can happen.”