Sutjiadi Named SEC Player of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Southeastern Conference announced Wednesday that Kentucky women’s tennis junior Aldila Sutjiadi has been named the SEC Player of the Week.  It is the first career honor for the native of Jakarta, Indonesia, and it is the second weekly conference award bestowed upon a Wildcat this year after Akvile Paražinskaite was named the Freshman of the Week on Feb. 17.  

Sutjiadi was instrumental in Kentucky’s successful weekend, as the team went 2-0 for the first time within SEC play this year.  The Wildcats picked up a 4-3 win over No. 27 Arkansas on April 8 and a 4-1 win over No. 60 Missouri on April 10, with Sutjiadi spearheading the way with an undefeated record in both No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles.  In singles play, she first downed No. 86 Ana Oparenovic of Arkansas in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, before coming out on top of a three-setter against Mizzou’s Kelli Hine, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.

Sutjiadi also shone in doubles action, which should come as no surprise as she is one half of the second-ranked tandem in the nation along with sophomore Mami Adachi.  The two eluded an upset from Arkansas’ top pairing of Yuliya Lysa and Shannon Hudson, pushing extra games but dominating in the tiebreak with a 7-0 blanking of the Razorbacks to win 7-6(0).  Sutjiadi and Adachi went on to prove why they are one of the most formidable teams in the nation against Missouri’s Bea Machado Santos and Brianna Lashway, handily dismantling the Tigers in a 6-1 victory.  

“I am glad to see our athletes recognized for their hard work and perseverance on the court,” commented head coach Carlos Dradá.

The junior has been a stronghold for the Wildcats this season, as she is currently ranked No. 53 in the nation behind a 13-5 record, including 6-4 in SEC play.  Her win tally leads the team in conference action, and is tied for the most wins on the team overall.  In doubles play, Sutjiadi and Adachi are undefeated within the SEC this season with an 8-0 record and are 13-2 overall on the season.  In the fall, the pairing also posted just two losses, both of which came in the final match of a national championship as the two finished as the runners-up at both the Oracle/ITA Masters and the USTA/ITA National Indoor Championships.

Kentucky will wrap up the SEC regular season this weekend, hosting No. 46 Alabama on Friday and No. 12 Auburn on Sunday.  The Wildcats will take on the Crimson Tide at 4 p.m. ET, while the first serve for the match against the Tigers is slated for 11 a.m. with Senior Day ceremonies beginning 30 minutes prior.

Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the Kentucky women’s tennis team and all 22 varsity sports. For additional info, notes, and behind-the-scenes updates, follow the team on Twitter at @UKWomensTennis and on Facebook.