Feb. 14, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s tennis team swept a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center, as UK defeated the Northern Kentucky Norse and Morehead State Eagles both by a score of 6-0 to pick up the wins.
Doubles were not played in either match, and were only scheduled should singles play should have been split following the completion of all six singles matches.
With the two wins today, Kentucky improved to 4-6 on the season, picking up its first win since opening day of the 2015 season despite a brutal schedule the past three weeks, playing six matches and five against teams inside the current top-17 of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s rankings.
Jerry Lopez saw his first time at court one this season in singles as the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, native picked up a three-set win on the first court to give UK a 4-0 lead over NKU before the Wildcats would finish off the match to win 6-0.
Beck Pennington got back on track, playing in both matches and getting two wins, both in straight sets. Pennington only lost six games all afternoon, and ran his season record to 4-2 this season as one of the strongest UK players this season in both singles and doubles.
Also playing in both matches today were Kevin Lai, Beck Pennington and Trey Yates, who all went 2-0 on the afternoon.
Kentucky will return to action next Sunday afternoon as UK will kick off outdoor play on Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. ET in Birmingham, Ala. The Wildcats will face Samford and Lipscomb in a doubleheader as UK will look to play outdoors for the first time this season.
These will be the final non-conference matches for UK before conference play begins the following weekend in College Station, Texas.
University of Kentucky Men’s Tennis
No. 27 Kentucky 6, Northern Kentucky 0
Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center – Lexington, Ky.
Feb. 14, 2015
Singles: (Order of finish: 4, 2, 3, 1*, 5, 6)
1- Jerry Lopez (UK) def. Mate Virag (NKU) 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
2- Beck Pennington (UK) def. Christopher Angulo (NKU) 6-2, 6-3
3- William Bushaka (UK) def. Jody Maginley (NKU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-0
4- Kevin Lai (UK) def. Jack Carney (NKU) 6-1, 6-1
5- Trey Yates (UK) def. Adrian Isache (NKU) 6-1, 6-3
6- Nils Ellefsen (UK) def. Balint Zsidai (NKU) 6-2, 6-0
University of Kentucky Men’s Tennis
No. 27 Kentucky 6, Morehead State 0
Hilary J. Boone Varsity Tennis Center – Lexington, Ky.
Feb. 14, 2015
Singles: (Order of finish: 1, 3, 2, 4*, 5, 6)
1- Beck Pennington (UK) def. Ritchie Krunnenburg (MSU) 6-1, 6-0
2- William Bushamuka (UK) def. Gabriel Ruiz (MSU) 6-2, 6-3
3- Nils Ellefson (UK) def. Nick Mercer(MSU) 1-6, 6-1, 6-0
4- Kevin Lai (UK) def. Enqrique Samudio (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
5- Trey Yates (UK) def. Jose Zurro (MSU) 6-1, 6-3
6- Jake Stefanik (UK) def. Garrett Mandrell (MSU) 6-2, 6-0
For more information on the Kentucky men’s tennis team, follow “UKMensTennis” on Twitter or “University of Kentucky men’s tennis team” on Facebook.
