Wildcats Stretch Win Streak to Five, Down No. 22 ASU, EKU
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 20 Kentucky women’s tennis team extended its winning streak to five on Friday, defeating No. 22 Arizona State 4-2 and Eastern Kentucky 5-1 inside the Boone Tennis Center. With the victories, the Wildcats move to 8-2 on the season.
The win over Arizona State marked UK’s second over a ranked foe this season after defeating No. 16 Baylor on Feb. 4.
“Today was a great step forward for our program,” said Kentucky head coach Carlos Drada. “I am proud of their effort and their commitment to our process goals. This gives us great preparation for the rest of the season.”
Kentucky fell behind early against the Sun Devils by dropping the doubles point, but senior Mami Adachi made quick work in No. 3 singles to knot the score at one with a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Diana Tkachenko gave the Wildcats their first lead, picking up her first ranked win of the season over No. 107 Savannah Slayman on court four.
ASU would once again tie the score at two as No. 84 Lauryn John-Baptiste defeated No. 117 Justina Mikulskyte on court one.
A gritty 7-5, 7-5 win from Emily Fanning gave Kentucky the one point edge, and sophomore Lesedi Jacobs would seal the team victory with 6-3, 6-3 triumph over Tereza Kolarova in No. 5 singles.
In the evening match, the Colonels put up a good fight in doubles, but Kentucky’s one and two courts would prevail with the wins to jump ahead 1-0 in the match.
From there, the Wildcats rattled off three straight wins on the top three courts to clinch the match.
Kentucky will be back in action next Friday, March 2, as they open Southeastern Conference play against the Alabama Crimson Tide. First serve is set for 6 p.m. ET inside the Boone Tennis Center.
Agate
#20 Kentucky 4, #22 Arizona State 2
Lexington, Ky. – Boone Tennis Center
Feb. 23, 2018
Doubles (Order of Finish: 3-2-1)
1 – Nicole Fossa Huergo/Tereza Kolarova (ASU) def. #42 Mami Adachi/Emily Fanning (UK) 6-4
2 – Lauryn John-Baptiste/Ilze Hattingh (ASU) def. Justina Mikulskyte/Diana Tkachenko (UK) 6-3
3 – Lesedi Jacobs/Brianna Tulloch (UK) def. Sasa Klanecek/Savannah Slaysman (ASU) 6-3
Singles (Order of Finish: 3-4-1-2-5)
1 – #84 Lauryn John-Baptiste (ASU) def. #117 Justina Mikulskyte (UK) 6-1, 6-3
2 – Emily Fanning (UK) def. Ilze Hattingh (ASU) 7-5, 7-5
3 – Mami Adachi (UK) def. Nicole Fossa Huergo (ASU) 6-2, 6-2
4 – Diana Tkachenko (UK) def. #107 Savannah Slaysman (ASU) 6-4, 6-4
5 – Lesedi Jacobs (UK) def. Tereza Kolarova (ASU) 6-3, 6-3
6 – Brianna Tulloch (UK) vs. Sasa Klanecek (ASU) 1-6, 3-3, unfinished
Agate
#20 Kentucky 5, Eastern Kentucky 1
Lexington, Ky. – Boone Tennis Center
Feb. 23, 2018
Doubles (Order of Finish: 2-1)
1 – #42 Mami Adachi/Emily Fanning (UK) def. Alexandra Belle/Lisa Friess (EKU) 6-3
2 – Diana Tkachenko/Justina Mikulskyte (UK) def. Kristina Lagoda/Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-0
3 – Brianna Tulloch/Lesedi Jacobs (UK) vs. Laura Argente/Raquel Montalvo (EKU) 5-5, unf.
Singles (Order of Finish: 2-3-1-4-6)
1 – #117 Justina Mikulskyte (UK) def. Laura Argente (EKU) 6-2, 6-3
2 – Emily Fanning (UK) def. Kristina Lagoda (EKU) 6-0, 6-0
3 – Mami Adachi (UK) def. Viktorija Demcenkova (EKU) 6-1, 6-2
4 – Diana Tkachenko (UK) def. Alexandra Belle (EKU) 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 (10-6)
5 – Lesedi Jacobs (UK) vs. Lisa Friess (EKU) 1-2, unf.
6 – Margaux Lacroix (EKU) def. Brianna Tulloch (UK) 8-6
For the latest on the Kentucky women’s tennis program, follow @UKWomensTennis on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/UKWomensTennis and on the web at UKathletics.com.
