May 9, 2003
The 12th-ranked Kentucky women’s tennis team will face off against No. 24 Miami on Saturday in the 2003 NCAA Women’s Regional Tennis final being played at UK’s Boone Tennis Center.
Miami advanced to the final after defeating No. 39 Purdue, 4-1, in the first round. The Hurricanes are led by Megan Bradley at No. 1 singles and are 17-6 on the year, after Friday’s victory.
“It’s feels great to advance to the second round,” Miami coach Paige Yaroshuk said. “Purdue is a tough team and we had to play really well to beat them.
“Kentucky also is a very good team and we will have to be at the top of our game to advance to the next round.”
Kentucky advanced to the second round with a 4-0 defeat of the Hampton Lady Pirates. Kentucky improved to 22-7 on the year and is led by 37th-ranked Sarah Witten at No. 1 singles.
“We give Hampton a great deal of respect,” Coach Mark Guilbeau said. “What that team accomplished this year is worth mentioning.
“I’m very happy for our team to advance. Tomorrow’s match is going to be tough. I know our team is physically ready to play, but we need to make sure our emotions are under control and we are in the right mental frame of mind when we take the court.”
Saturday’s match will begin at approximately 3 p.m. ET. The winner will advance to the round of 16 to be played at the Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, Fla.Admission to Saturday’s match is $5 and $3 dollars for students with valid ID. Fans also may follow the action live on ukathletics.com.
Women’s Tennis Players Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll
In other UK women’s tennis news, seniors Sarah Witten, Leigh Bradwell, Shannon Stafford, Jill Buckley and Amy Trefethen were all named to the 2003 Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, as announced by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive on Apr. 30. The 2003 selections were based on academic achievement for the 2001-02 academic year. Student-athletes are required to carry at least a 3.0 grade point average to be eligible for selection. This was the third consecutive year each of these players was named to the honor roll.
Agates for Friday’s matches:
#24 Miami 4, #39 Purdue 1
Doubles
1. Melissa Applebaum/Megan Bradley (UM) def. Melissa Woods/Lara Burgarello (PU) 8-0
2. Iqna deVilliers/Abby Smith (UM) vs. Missy Wright/Shawna Zuccarini (PU) susp. (6-3 Purdue up)
3. Staci Stevens/Mari Toro (UM) def. Gretchen Haynor/Melissa Iqbal (PU) 8-3
Singles
1. #79 Megan Bradley (UM) def. Gretchen Haynor (PU) 6-1, 6-1
2. #58 Melissa Applebaum (UM) vs. Amy Walgenbach (PU) susp. (6-4, 1-2 Purdue up)
3. Mari Toro (UM) vs. Melissa Iqbal (PU) susp. (6-4, 1-4 Miami up)
4. Staci Stevens (UM) def. Shawna Zuccarini (PU) 6-3, 6-4
5. Sihem Bennacer (UM) def. Missy Wright (PU) 6-2, 7-5
6. Lara Burgarello (PU) def. Sara Robbins (UM) 6-3, 6-1
#12 Kentucky 4, Hampton 0
Doubles
1. #9 Sarah Witten/Amy Trefethen (UK) def. Lucie Novoveska/Lenka Schulzova (HU) 8-4
2. Leigh Bradwell/Jill Buckley (UK) def. Dita Hauerlandova/Alena Mitackova (HU) 8-4
3. Shannon Stafford/Nathalie Roels (UK) vs. Petra Klimplova/Krystina Pesatova (HU) susp. (UK up 7-4)
Singles
1. #37 Sarah Witten (UK) def. Krystina Pesatova (HU) 6-2, 6-1
2. #65 Nathalie Roels (UK) vs. #118 Alena Mitackova (HU) susp. (6-4, 2-0 UK up)
3. Jill Buckley (UK) vs. Dita Hauerlnadova (HU) susp. (6-2, 3-4 Hampton up)
4. Shannon Stafford vs. Lenka Schulzova (HU) susp. (3-6, 1-2 Hampton up)
5. Amy Trefethen (UK) def. Lucie Novoveska (HU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Shannon Stough (UK) def. Renata Hlavova (HU) 6-1, 6-1
