Feb. 12, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 38 University of Kentucky women’s tennis team went 2-0, knocking off Eastern Kentucky University, 4-0, and downing East Tennessee State, 4-0, on Wednesday at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.
“We had two really good matches today,” Kentucky head coach Carlos Drada Said. “We’re playing really well right now and going in the right direction. Hopefully we can reach a higher level of execution and make better discipline choices under pressure.”
The Wildcats got the ball rolling early claiming the doubles point against the Colonels. Senior duo Caitlin McGraw and Cece Witten used their experience and talent to take down Kristina Labeja and Melissa Gerritsen, 8-2 in the No. 1 doubles position. Junior Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff and sophomore Kirsten Lewis paired up in the No. 3 doubles spot to defeat Amandine Faouzi and Carmen Rodriguez, 8-3.
In the singles competition, EKU showed some fight, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Wildcats. Morin-Kougoucheff defeated Saioa Oscoz, 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 3 singles slot, giving Kentucky a 2-0 edge. The Capbreton, France native has yet to drop a match this season. No. 56 Nadia Ravita gave the team a win at No. 1 singles over the Colonels top returner, Amandine Faouzi. Ravita won both sets, 6-4. Sophomore Kirsten Lewis clinched the match in the No. 4 singles slot with a, 6-2, 6-3, win over Milena Poffo.
Kentucky and ETSU jumped right into singles play. The Buccaneer’s forfeited the No. 6 singles position giving Kentucky an easy 1-0 lead. ETSU’s Giulia Andreazza retired at the No. 1 position after junior, Kelsey Dieters, won the first set, 6-1. Kentucky took the point and led the Buccaneers, 2-0. McGraw took down Sofia Espana competing in the No. 4 singles position, 6-1, 6-2. The match was clinched behind Morin-Kougoucheff’s win in the No. 2 singles slot. This is the third time this season she has clinched the match for the Wildcats.
“I worked very hard last season to improve my game,” Morin-Kougoucheff said. “I’m more fit this year so when I get on the court I know I am prepared physically to handle anything on the court. That gives me more confidence and my team does a great job of keeping me motivated.”
Kentucky is now 8-1 on the season and when asked what has been the reason for the team’s success, Lewis said “it’s because the team is playing consistently and having more fun.”
“We enjoy hanging out with each other off the court and that translates onto the court.”
Kentucky will finish off their five match home stance against Ohio State University, Friday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. ET.
Follow Kentucky Women’s tennis on Twitter and Instagram @UKWomensTennis and like the Kentucky Women’s Tennis page on Facebook.
Agate
No. 38 Kentucky 4, Eastern Kentucky 0
Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center – Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Singles (Order of finish: 3, 1,4* )
1 – Nadia Ravita (UK) def. Amandine Faouzi (EKU), 6-4, 6-4
2 – Kelsey Dieters (UK) vs. Kristina Lebaja (EKU), 7-6(5), 4-2 (DNF)
3 – Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) def. Saioa Oscoz (EKU), 6-1, 6-3
4 – Kirsten Lewis (UK) def. Milena Poffo (EKU), 6-2, 6-3
5 – Caitlin McGraw (UK) vs. Carmen Rodriguez, DNP
6 – Stephanie Fox (UK) vs. Marcela Jimenez, DNP
Doubles (Order of finish: 1,3*)
1 – Caitlin McGraw/ Cece Witten (UK) def. Kristina Labeja/ Melissa Gerritsen (EKU), 8-2
2 – Nadia Ravita/ Aldila Sutjiadi (UK) vs. Saioa Oscoz/ Milena Poffo, 7-3 (DNF)
3 – Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff/ Kirsten Lewis (UK) def. Amandine Faouzi/ Carmen Rodriguez (EKU), 8-3
No. 38 Kentucky 4, East Tennessee State 0
Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center – Lexington, Ky.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Singles (Order of finish: 6, 1, 4, 2*)
1 – Kelsey Dieters (UK) vs. Giulia Andreazza (ETSU), 6-1 (RET)
2 – Edmée Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) def. Salma Dahbi (ETSU), 6-2, 6-1
3 – Kirsten Lewis (UK) vs. Jessica Brumit (ETSU), 7-5, 1-0 DNF
4 – Caitlin McGraw (UK) def. Sofia Espana (ETSU), 6-1, 6-2
5 – Stephanie Fox (UK) vs. Augustina Amon (ETSU), 6-0, 4-0 DNF
6 – Taylor Lederman vs. ETSU, Forfeit
Doubles (Order of finish: )
1 – Caitlin McGraw/ Cece Witten (UK) vs. Giulia Andreazza/Jessica Brumit (ETSU), DNP
2 – Nadia Ravita/ Aldila Sutjiadi (UK) vs. Sofia Espana/Salma Dahbi (ETSU), DNP
