Undaunted by the challenges presented by their initial seasons of NCAA tennis, freshman Sarah Foster and junior Aibika Kalsarieva have been selected to participate in the NCAA Women?s Singles and Doubles Championships. The pair will begin competition in the 64-competitor singles and 32-pair doubles championships on May 24 following the NCAA Team Championships.

Kalsarieva, a native of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, compiled a 36-12 overall tally in her first season of NCAA tennis after coming to Kentucky from Lewis & Clark State of the NAIA. She currently is ranked No. 16 in the latest ITA singles rankings and earned All-SEC recognition after posting an 8-3 conference record at No. 1 singles.

Foster, a two-time Kentucky singles champion out of Lexington Christian Academy, totaled a 29-13 overall record and a staggering 10-1 SEC tally on her way to becoming the SEC Freshman of the Year. Foster enters NCAA post-season play as the ITA?s 48th-ranked student-athlete.

Foster and Kalsarieva also rang up a 22-9 record as a doubles tandem and hold the No. 14 ITA women?s doubles ranking.

?These selections are well-deserved for these two players,? UK Coach Mark Guilbeau said. ?Aibika came through the NAIA, so it has been a three-year process for her to get to this level. It?s fair to say this would be a good accomplishment for Sarah Foster as a senior. In some ways, she has shown she is a senior with her maturity, effort and belief in herself.

?Their leadership on the court and getting our team to and hopefully through this regional is greatly appreciated. I?m very happy for them, but I am more excited about their desire to take it a step further once they get to the individual tournament.?