Sept. 20, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team continued fall action during the second day of the Gator Classic hosted by the University of Florida.
During Flight A quarterfinals the Cats faced familiar SEC foe, the Florida Gators. Sarah Woestmann of UK served opposite UF’s Anastasia Revzina. No. 83 Woestmann kept a close first set but fell to No. 66 Revzina, 7-6, 6-3. Kentucky sophomore Megan Broderick contended with Marrit Boonstra, also of Florida, in the quarterfinals. Boonstra came out on top, providing a 6-1, 6-2 tally.
Wildcat newcomer Jennifer Stone has made an impressive collegiate debut. She has boosted her record to 3-0 after defeating South Florida’s Natalia Guevara, 7-5, 6-2, during Saturday’s matches. The Greensboro, N.C. native previously took out Jo Mather of Florida Friday evening in a 4-6, 6-1, 10-7 showdown. Stone reaches the final round during her initial collegiate tournament and is set to face UCF’s Andrea Yacaman Sunday morning.
Junior Christine Johnston took the court with Jenny Frisell of Central Florida in the Flight A back draw. No. 118 Johnston allowed room for only one opponent point with a first set shut-out for a final score of, 6-0, 6-1. Kentucky’s lone senior Carolina Escamilla also scored the only points during the first set of her match against South Florida’s Iciri Rai for a 6-0, 6-2 verdict.
The Blue and White’s Lauren Meier took to the service line against Central Florida’s Alexis Rodriguez in the Flight B back draw. Meier dominated the court for an overwhelming 6-1, 6-0 victory. UK freshman Caroline Lilley matched up with Central Florida’s Isa Ohlinger. After only allowing one UCF point in the first set, Lilley blanked Ohlinger in the second set for a 6-1, 6-0 result.
The Wildcats top doubles team of No. 16 Escamilla and Johnston faced their own Stone and Notre Dame’s Kristen Rafael in the doubles quarterfinals. UK’s tandem wiped out their competition for an 8-0 sweep. In the semifinals, Escamilla and Johnston saw a closer match against Florida’s Mather and Revzina but took the win 8-6 and a ticket to the final round on Sunday. Escamilla and Johnston will face Kristy Frilling and Kelcy Tafft of Notre Dame.
Kentucky’s Broderick and Woestmann served against Frilling and Tafft in the doubles quarterfinals but fell to the Irish, 8-1.
Lilley and Meier of the Bluegrass handed Central Florida’s Core and Frisell an 8-1 decision in the doubles back draw. Several doubles back draw matches were delayed until Sunday due to rain.
Athletes from the Gators, UCF, Notre Dame and South Florida join the Wildcats in competition during the three-day tournament. All players are guaranteed to play at least three singles matches with a main draw, a consolation draw and a back-draw.
Seven of the eight members of Kentucky’s team are set to participate in the Gator Classic. Play is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. ET each day.
For complete coverage of Kentucky women’s tennis, please visit www.ukathletics.com.
