Feb. 10, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky sophomore Alex Musialek was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Wednesday after defeating the third-ranked player in the country, winning a doubles match against the 17th-ranked doubles duo and helping the Wildcats defeat No. 2 Virginia last Saturday.

A native of Dax, France, Musialek’s win over No. 3 Michael Shabaz of No. 2 Virginia is one of the biggest wins in the sophomore’s young career. During the 2009 fall season, Musialek defeated the No. 2 player in the country in Tennessee’s J.P. Smith.

Musialek, ranked 39th in singles in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association preseason poll, dominated the first set against Shabaz 6-4 and had to post a come-from-behind effort in the second set to force a tiebreaker. In the tiebreaker, the sophomore took control of the match and gave UK a key singles point by defeating Shabaz 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)

In doubles, Musialek teamed with freshman Anthony Rossi to take down the No. 17 doubles team of Drew Courtney and Lee Singer. Musialek and Rossi doubled up the top-20 tandem from Virginia, winning the match 8-4 and clinching the doubles point for UK.

Musialek has been a strong force for UK at the No. 2 singles position posting a 5-2 record this season including a pair of wins over ranked opponents. On the doubles side, Musialek and Rossi have been undefeated since moving to the No. 3 doubles position, posting four straight wins. The duo has been instrumental in Kentucky winning its last four doubles points.

Kentucky returns to action on Friday when it travels to Charlottesville, Va., to play in the ITA National Team Indoor Championships. UK will take on UCLA at 3 p.m. ET on Friday in the round of 16.