Oct. 27, 2003

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Kentucky junior Aibika Kalsarieva fell short in her bid for the Omni Hotels/ITA Southeast Regional singles title Monday, dropping a 6-1,6-3 decision to third-seeded Karin Coetzee of Wake Forest, the ITA’s 53rd-ranked player. Kalsarieva managed to slice her second-set deficit from 5-1 to 5-3 but the transfer from Lewis & Clark State College of the NAIA could do nothing more.

“Certainly, Coetzee needs to be congratulated for her efforts. She played very, very well in the final,” UK Coach Mark Guilbeau said.

Kalsarieva won five main-draw matches to advance to the final, defeating top-seeded Aniela Mojzis of North Carolina along the way.

“This was a great accomplishment for Aibika to get this far and earn a spot in the 32-player field at the National Indoors. She came in unseeded and battled to the top the hard way,” Guilbeau said.

Kalsarieva begins play in the Omni Hotels/ITA National Indoors next Thursday, Nov. 6 in Dallas. Guilbeau expects the junior to provide quite a presence for his young Wildcats throughout the rest of the season.

“Aibika has emerged as a leader for this young team with her level of play, her effort and her determination.”

AGATE:

Karin Coetzee (WF) def. Aibika Kalsarieva (UK) – 6-1, 6-3