Lexington, Ky. ? The Kentucky women?s tennis team was honored by the Southeastern Conference league office by having all six members of its singles lineup gain All-SEC recognition for the first time in school history. Junior Joelle Schwenk gained Kentucky?s top honor by being named first-team All-SEC after going 8-3 in conference play while five others land on the All-SEC second team. The Cats who finished 8-3 in the SEC (15-8 overall), tied conference champion Florida with the most All-SEC honors this season.
The 2006 Cats picked up right where they left off last season after winning the school?s first-ever SEC Championship, thanks to strong efforts from the entire roster. The SEC honored the team for its play this season by naming Schwenk first team All-SEC as well designating senior Danielle Petrisko, juniors Kim Coventry and Lara Maurer, as well as freshmen Carolina Escamilla and Jessica Giuggioli (ju-JAH-lee) second team All-SEC.
After winning five SEC matches in each of her first two seasons, Schwenk improved to 8-3 this season. The Coconut Creek, Fla., native played mainly at the No. 3 position and helped the Cats to claim victories over No. 24 Georgia and No. 50 Ole Miss by beating ranked opponents. Schwenk heads to the SEC Tournament looking to improve on her 20-14 overall record.
The All-SEC second team was dominated by five Wildcats, the most of any school in the conference. UK?s No. 1 player, Kim Coventry, earned the honor after claiming victory in five SEC matches and leading the team with 25 wins. The Melbourne, Australia, native is the Cats? highest ranked player at No. 46.
Petrisko gained All-SEC second team recognition in consecutive seasons after tying Schwenk with the second-most SEC wins on the team (eight). The native of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., played in the four spot in Kentucky?s lineup and won her first six SEC matches to begin conference action.
Maurer rounded out the returning Cats who gained second-team honors. The Bay Village, Ohio, native helped the Cats defeat Auburn, LSU, Arkansas and Mississippi State with wins at the No. 2 position. Maurer also teamed with Schwenk to record nine doubles victories in SEC play.
Making an immediate impact on the SEC scene was Kentucky?s freshman duo of Escamilla and Giuggioli. Both led the team with nine conference wins while Escamilla helped the team clinch key wins over No. 60 LSU, No. 39 South Carolina and No. 24 Georgia.
?This recognition is a testament to our team’s philosophy: ?Nothing is given, everything is earned,?? head coach Carlos Drada said. ?The main reason this team has been successful is due to the amount of hard work and focus that our players have shown throughout this season. Every player has made a difference this year, including Caroline Winebrenner, who teamed with Danielle (Petrisko) to win nine SEC doubles matches that were crucial to us winning doubles points and gaining momentum going into singles.
?I am thrilled for our players and we will continue striving to improve on a daily basis.?
The Wildcats, who have a first-round bye as a No. 3 seed, will return to action this Friday when they take on either No. 33 Alabama or Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Gainesville, Fla. Fans can check ukathletics.com for live stats and recaps throughout UK?s tournament run.
