Oct. 26, 2013
KNOXVILLE,Tenn. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis had a strong day in singles action at the Tennessee Fall Invite on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Knoxville,Tenn.
Kentucky started singles play at 10 a.m. ET against North Carolina State University and took home five wins. Junior Stephanie Fox, senior Cece Witten and freshman Aldila Sutjiadi, cruised past their Wolfpack opponents in two sets.
Sutjiadi defeated No. 45 Joselle Kissel with little hesitation, 6-1, 6-2. Fox took down Elisha Hande, who led the Wolfpack in singles wins last season, 7-5, 6-4. Witten’s strong play helped her to overpower freshman Natalia Janowicz and claim the match, 7-5, 6-2.
Juniors Kelsey Dieters and Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff both won in deciding third sets. Dieters claimed the first set against Rachael James-Baker, but James-Baker fought back to win the second set. In the final set, Dieters pushed through and won the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Morin-Kougoucheff had a challenging match against Liza Fieldsend, but stayed grounded to win 7-2, 5-7, 7-6 (5).
“We had to overcome some physical challenges with illness and injury today,” head coach Carlos Drada said. “Our singles matches were all about overcoming problems and this experience will help us when adversity comes in the spring.”
In doubles, the Wildcats were swept by Ohio State dropping all three matches. Kentucky will look to improve their doubles play at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 27 against North Carolina State. Kentucky will face Tennessee in singles at 2 p.m. ET.
Singles – Kentucky vs. NC State
1. Aldila Sutjiadi, UK, def. Joelle Kissell, NCSU, 6-1, 6-2
2. Kelsey Dieters, UK, def. Rachael James-Baker, NCSU, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
3. Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff, UK, def. Liza Fieldsend, NCSU, 7-2, 5-7, 7-6 (5)
4. Nicole Martinez, NCSU, def. Kirsten Lewis, UK, 6-2, 6-1
5. Stephanie Fox, UK, def. Elisha Hande, NCSU, 7-5, 6-4
6. Cece Witten, UK, def. Natalia Janowicz, NCSU, 7-5, 6-2
Doubles – Kentucky vs. Ohio State
1. Kowase/DeSantis, OSU, def. Sutjiadi/Witten, UK, 8-3
2. O’Neill/Niehaus, OSU, def. Dieters/Morin-Kougoucheff, UK, 8-1
3. Angeles-Pas/Malley, OSU, def. Fox/Lewis, UK, 8-5
