SOUTH BEND, Ind..— The University of Kentucky men?s tennis team dropped a 7-0 decision to No. 6 Notre Dame Wednesday afternoon.
The young Wildcats faced their sixth top-10 opponent of the season and put up a good fight once again against some of the stiffest competition in the country.
Notre Dame took the opening doubles point to jump out to an early 1-0 advantage. Sophomores Bruno Agostinelli and Kenny Hodge dropped a tight 8-6 match at No. 1 doubles to Ryan Keckley and Stephen Bass. Sophomore Shane Collins and freshman Jorge Jorge fell at No. 3 in another quality performance, 8-5, to Barry King and Andrew Roth.
Kentucky got continued quality doubles play from senior Peter Bjork and junior Marcus Sundh who led their match at No. 2 doubles before play was suspended due to Notre Dame winning the point.
After three close matches in doubles, Notre Dame clinched the match with consecutive wins at No. 6, 4 and 5 singles.
Agostinelli went toe-to-toe with No. 9 Bass at No. 1 singles. Bass narrowly edged the Wildcat 7-5 in the opening set and then took the second set 6-3.
Sundh fought No. 114 Brett Helgeson to a 7-6 opening set loss. Helegeson finished the match with a 6-2 win in the second set after Notre Dame had already claimed the match.
The Blue and White (13-13, 3-7) return to the courts on Saturday when they hit the road for their final regular season action of the season. UK will take on Vanderbilt in an afternoon contest. Complete results of the day?s match can be found at www.ukatlethics.com
#6 Notre Dame 7, #54 Kentucky 0
Singles
1. #9 Stephen Bass (ND) def. #90 Bruno Agostinelli (UK) 7-5, 6-3
2. #51 Sheeva Parbhu (ND) def. Peter Bjork (UK) 6-4, 3-1, ret.
3. #114 Brett Helgeson (ND) def. Marcus Sundh (UK) 7-6, 6-2
4. Barry King (ND) def. Jorge Jorge (UK) 6-4, 6-3
5. Ryan Keckley (ND) def. Kenny Hodge (UK) 6-3, 6-1
6. Andrew Roth (ND) def. Shane Collins (UK) 6-0, 6-1
Order of Finish: 6, 4, 5, 2, 3, 1
Doubles
1. Keckley/Bass (ND) def. Agostinelli/Hodge (UK) 8-6
2. Bjork/Sundh (UK) led Helgeson/Parbhu (ND) 6-3, susp.
3. King/Roth (ND) def. Collins/Jorge (UK) 8-5
Order of Finish: 3, 1
