Nov. 7, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Senior Carolina Escamilla of the Kentucky women’s tennis team advanced to the final round during the SEC Fall Coaches Classic.  Matches will resume at Alabama’s Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday morning.

Escamilla held back the Crimson Tide’s Meritt Emery in a difficult first set, winning, 7-6(4). The Wildcat outplayed Emery, 6-1, in the second set for a spot in the Fall Classic finals. UK’s lone senior will take to the service line against Florida’s Joanna Mather in the gold draw championship.

Kentucky freshman Jennifer Stone suffered defeat in the semifinals to Chelsea Preeg of Vanderbilt, 6-3, 6-1. Stone will play in consolation against the Volunteer’s Natalie Pluskota.

The Wildcats’ No. 55 Megan Broderick notched a three-set win in the back draw against Volunteer Rosalia Alda, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4. Broderick will see Naoko Ueshima of Georgia in the crimson back draw finals.

The UK doubles team of Broderick and Stone suffered defeat in the first round of the gold flight to Heather Steinbauer and Erica Robertson of Vanderbilt, 8-5. The back draw proved just as difficult as the Cats fell to another Commodore duo, Keilly Ulery and Hannah Blatt, 8-4. A consolation match will be played Saturday morning.

The fall tournament provides a preseason showcase for SEC women’s tennis, featuring players from 10 of the top-60 teams in the nation, according to the May 23 Fila/ITA ratings. Eight teams finished last season ranked in the country’s top-30.

The Coaches Classic consists of four singles draws of 16 with both a front and back draw along with two doubles draws of 16 teams with front at back draws. Saturday and Sunday both have 10 a.m. (ET) starts.

Complete tournament information is available at Rolltide.com. To follow the Wildcat women’s tennis team visit, www.ukathletics.com.