Kentucky picked up its third-consecutive victory Sunday, defeating Florida Gulf Coast by a 5-2 count in Ft. Myers, Fla.

The Cats relinquished the doubles point but put away the Eagles with a solid singles effort. Senior All-American Jesse Witten, a native of nearby Naples, Fla., defeated Richard Stempnowski in straight sets to even the tally at one. UK picked up singles wins from juniors Carey Rubin and Alex Hume, sophomore Jason Mallaiah and freshman Nolan Polley to clinch the match.

Kentucky (7-3) begins conference play next weekend when the Cats travel to Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Kentucky 5, Florida Gulf Coast 2

Doubles

1. Stempnowski/Pastrello (FGCU) def. Emge/Hume (UK) ? 9-8 (12)
2. Polley/Sundh (UK) def. Osorio/Offermann (FGCU) ? 8-6
3. Fogelman/Gutierrez (FGCU) def. Mallaiah/Rubin (UK) ? 8-2
Singles 1. No. 3 Jesse Witten (UK) def. Richard Stempnowski (FGCU) ? 6-1, 6-0
2. Carey Rubin (UK) def. Jose Pastrello (FGCU) ? 6-2, 7-6 (5)
3. Juan Carlos Osorio (FGCU) def. No. 41 Nate Emge (UK) ? 2-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Alex Hume (UK) def. Alberto Gutierrez (FGCU) ? 1-6, 6-2, 6-2
5. Nolan Polley (UK) def. Tim Offermann (FGCU) ? 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
6. Jason Mallaiah (UK) def. Seth Fogelman (FGCU) ? 6-4, 6-3