Oct. 18, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman Stephanie Fox is the last wildcat left competing in the USTA/ITA Women’s Tennis Ohio Valley Regional’s in Memphis, Tenn. The three other players selected from UK had successful runs but as the tournament progressed into the final rounds, the wildcats fought hard but couldn’t come out with the wins.

Fox is still going strong, though. After losing her first singles match she entered into the back draw and has been unstoppable ever since. Her success brought her to the quarterfinals this morning, where she took on Sarah Toti of the University of Tennessee The two both fought hard, so hard that a third set was necessary but ultimately, Fox brought home the win. The match ended with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, score that earned Fox a spot in the semifinals of the back draw.

Junior Jessica Stiles and Khristina Blajkevitch were on a winning-streak like Fox, but their run in the doubles main draw was brought to an end in the semifinals. The two came extremely close to making it into finals with a 9-8 (3) score, but Alyssa Hibberd and Tiffany Welcher from the University of Memphis just barely outplayed the wildcats to earn the spot in the finals. 

Blajkevitch also competed in the singles quarterfinals in the back draw today, but unfortunately fell to her opponent. Paula Jaime of East Tennessee State University defeated her, 6-4, 6-1.

For continuing coverage of UK women’s tennis log on to UKathletics.com.