Sept. 26, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three members of the University of Kentucky women’s tennis squad traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the 22nd Annual Roberta Alison Classic.

Sophomore Lauren Meier and freshmen Caroline Lilley and Jennifer Stone represented the Blue and White at the fall tournament.

In singles action, Lilley only allowed four opponent points. After posting a 6-4 first set against Charlotte’s Candace Cunningham, Lilley shutout the 49er, 6-0 in the second to advance to the second round of tournament play Saturday. Lilley will take to the service line opposite Jessica Lange of Tulane.

Meier also advances to Saturday’s main draw play after a three-set match with Cassidy Cunitz of Murray State. The Wildcat took the first set, 6-3, but Cunitz came back hard, winning 7-5 in the second set. In the deciding third and final set, Meier allowed only one opponent point for a 6-1 victory.

UK’s Stone was defeated in a heartbreaking 7-5, 6-0, match against Tennessee Tech’s Kelly Holtzhausen. Stone will continue on the courts tomorrow in the back draw against Koren Fleming of the 49ers.

Lilley and Stone teamed up for doubles play but fell to Samford’s Andrie Meiring and Stephanie Parkinson, 8-3. The Wildcats went on to play Fleming and Gabi Vergara of UNC-Charlotte in the back draw and pulled out an 8-3 victory. Lilley and Stone will face Alabama’s Meritt Emery and Bianca Svensson in the back draw finals Saturday at 10 a.m. ET.

Kentucky’s Meier was paired with Alice Tunaru of the Crimson Tide for the first round of doubles. The duo defeated Lyndsay Ottosen and Adriana Alvarez of Murray State, 8-2.

Tournament play will resume on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET at the Alabama Tennis Stadium and student recreation courts. For complete coverage of Kentucky women’s tennis, please visit www.ukathletics.com.