March 10, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s tennis team will look to build on last weekend’s 6-1 victory over Mississippi State when it takes the courts again Friday in Knoxville, Tenn., against the No. 21 Tennessee Lady Volunteers.

Kentucky (3-8, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) took down Mississippi State 6-1 at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center in its latest outing. The win was the Wildcats’ first of the season in SEC play. UK swept the doubles point, dropping just four games in the process. The Wildcats then went on to grab victories at Nos. 2-6 singles.

Sophomore Jessica Stiles and freshman Caitlin McGraw have led Kentucky in the spring with six wins in singles play. Stiles has played predominantly at the No. 2 position and McGraw has played at No. 3. Kentucky’s No. 1 singles, senior Megan Broderick, has five singles victories on the season.

Broderick, along with freshman Khristina Blajkevtich, have paired together at No. 1 doubles to lead the Cats with three doubles victories.

Tennessee comes into Friday’s match coming off a 6-1 victory of their own over Auburn. Tennessee played at Alabama on Friday in what was supposed to be its SEC opener, but inclement weather forced the match to be suspended until a later date. Alabama led the match 1-0 at the time of suspension. No make-up date has been announced.

UK has lost its past two against Tennessee and trail in the all-time series, 20-15.

The Lady Vols are led in singles play by freshman Brynn Boren, the No. 31 ranked singles player in the country. In doubles, Rosalia Alda and Millie Nichols guide UT with a doubles ranking of No. 15.

Friday’s match will be played outdoors if weather permits at Barksdale Stadium, otherwise the match will move indoors to the Goodfriend Indoor Tennis Center where UT is 4-0 on the season.

Go to UKathletics.com for live stats from Friday’s match against Tennessee, a post-match recap and for all news concerning the Kentucky women’s tennis team.