The 21st-ranked University of Kentucky women?s tennis team (8-5) begins SEC dual-match competition Friday when the Cats head to Starkville, Miss., to battle Mississippi State. The match is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET start at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Center.

The Cats tallied a 9-2 conference record a season ago and are looking for similar results in 2004. Junior Aibika Kalsarieva has ascended to No. 19 in the latest ITA singles rankings after earning the No. 23 spot in the preseason rankings. Kalsarieva and freshman Sarah Foster have earned the first doubles ranking of their respective careers, coming in at No. 12 this week.

Kentucky is looking to bounce back after suffering a 5-2 defeat at 26th-ranked Indiana last Sunday. The Cats complete their weekend road trip Sunday at No. 30 Ole Miss.