LEXINGTON ? The Kentucky women?s tennis team returns home for the first time in nearly a month on Friday at 4 p.m. when it hosts 32nd-ranked South Florida at the Boone Tennis Complex.

The Wildcats, 8-1 on the year and ranked 30th nationally, have been on a four-game road swing throughout February that saw them go 3-1. The trip included convincing wins over No. 26 Harvard (5-2) and No. 72 Louisville (6-1). The lone hiccup came to a scrappy Indiana squad, currently ranked 29th.

?This is a good chance for us to compete against a top-level South Florida team,? Kentucky coach Carlos Drada said. ?We have practiced hard all week and I think our team is well prepared to play.?

Friday?s contest will feature some of the country?s best players. Kentucky boasts the nation?s second-ranked doubles tandem in Kim Coventry and Joelle Schwenk ? and both have been ranked in singles this year as well.

Along with the senior duo, freshman Sarah Woestmann remains perfect in her collegiate career at 8-0. Fellow freshman Whitney Spencer has won four of her last five outings. The Wildcats should also get a welcome boost to the line up with the return of Carolina Escamilla, who sat out the win over Louisville on Tuesday due to injury.

South Florida?s top player is Shadisha Robinson. She is ranked 25th in the nation in singles and forms the 22nd-ranked doubles team in the country with partner Gabriela Duch. The Bulls also feature Courtney Vernon, who holds down the No. 57 spot in the latest ITA poll.

The Bulls are 3-1 on the year with three straight 7-0 blankings. The lone loss came at the hands of a top 20 Clemson squad.

Last year, UK knocked off South Florida, 4-3, in Tampa. Coventry, Escamilla and current sophomore Jessica Giuggioli scored singles victories and Kentucky swept the doubles point to earn the win.