April 6, 2010

Cat Scratches: Emery’s success withstands the test of time  

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 11th-ranked University of Kentucky men’s tennis team wraps up its five-match homestand Wednesday when it plays host to No. 13 Illinois and Murray State. Both matches will be played at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex with UK facing off against the Illini at 2:30 p.m. ET. The Wildcats and Racers will meet following the conclusion on the first match.

Kentucky (16-7, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) is fresh off a 2-1 weekend where it defeated No. 38 South Carolina 4-3 and the University of the Cumberlands 4-2 on Friday. The Wildcats lost a tough match to No. 6 Florida 4-3, falling short of an upset bid on Sunday.

Illinois (12-7, 4-0 Big Ten) and Kentucky met earlier this season in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Men’s Team Indoor Championships on Feb. 13 with the Wildcats posting a 4-3 win.

In the first meeting, Kentucky registered singles wins from sophomores Eric Quigley and Alex Musialek and freshman Anthony Rossi. Musialek posted a key come-from-behind victory over Illini junior Johnny Hamui. After losing the first set 6-4, Musialek responded in the second and third sets to win the match 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Kentucky also claimed the doubles point in the match, earning wins from the duos of Quigley and Brad Cox as well as Rossi and Musialek.

Quigley is currently ranked 13th in the latest ITA singles rankings and is listed at No. 13 in doubles rankings with junior Brad Cox. Musialek is ranked 44th in singles rankings.

Illinois boasts three ranked singles players and three ranked doubles teams. No. 35 Dennis Nevolo leads the Illini with No. 57 Marek Czerwinski and No. 85 Abe Souza also pulling singles rankings. Nevolo and Czerwinski are ranked ninth in doubles with Czerwinski and Stephen Hoh ranked 50th and Johnny Hamui and Nevolo ranked 60th.

Admission to both matches is free of charge. Live stats will be available at ukathletics.com.