Wildcats Down LSU, 4-1
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s tennis team cruised to a 4-1 victory over the visiting LSU Tigers on Thursday evening at the Boone Tennis Complex. With the win, Kentucky moves to 13-7 overall, 5-5 in Southeastern Conference play.
“I am so excited for our team performance today,” said Kentucky head coach Carlos Drada. “Our players played with a great amount of pride and continue to show room for improvement. LSU is a high-level team and competing against them is always a tough endeavor. This is a great step in the correct direction.”
The Wildcats took control of the match early, winning the doubles point in convincing fashion. Kentucky’s tandem of Emily Fanning and Lesedi Jacobs first earned a 6-2 win over No. 36 Eden Richardson/Jessica Golovin on court one to get the Cats half the way there. Mami Adachi and Justina Mikulsykte teamed on court two, earning a quick 6-2 defeat as well to clinch the point.
In singles, UK quickly shot out to a 3-0 lead. Freshman Brianna Tulloch put Kentucky up two, as she earned a win over Ashton Rabalais in straight sets on court six. Fanning made it a three-point lead as she took down No. 121 Ryann Foster, 6-2, 6-3 on the top singles court.
The Tigers (13-7, 4-6 SEC) put one point on the board as Mikulskyte fell to No. 82 Golovin on court two, 6-2, 7-6 (7).
The remaining three courts each needed a third set to decide the winner, but ultimately it came down to sophomore Diana Tkachenko, who brought down Kennan Johnson, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-4 at No. 4 singles.
Adachi and Jacobs each led in the third set as play was completed.
Kentucky will host its home finale on Saturday, bringing in Texas A&M at noon. The match will serve as Senior Day for Adachi and Fanning.
Agate
#28 Kentucky 4, #37 LSU 1
Boone Tennis Complex – Lexington, Ky.
April 5, 2018
Doubles (Order of Finish: 6-1-2-4)
1 – Emily Fanning (UK) def. #121 Ryann Foster (LSU) 6-2, 6-3
2 – #82 Jessica Golovin (LSU) def. #112 Justina Mikulskyte (UK) 6-2, 7-6 (9-7)
3 – Mami Adachi (UK) vs. #96 Eden Richardson (LSU) 7-5, 3-6, 5-4, unfinished
4 – Diana Tkachenko (UK) def. Kennan Johnson (LSU) 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4
5 – Lesedi Jacobs (UK) vs. Luba Vasilyuk (LSU) 3-6, 6-4, 4-2, unfinished
6 – Brianna Tulloch (UK) def. Ashton Rabalais (LSU) 6-0, 6-2
Singles (Order of Finish: 1-2)
1 – Emily Fanning/Lesedi Jacobs (UK) def. #36 Eden Richardson/Jessica Golovin (LSU) 6-2
2 – Mami Adachi/Justina Mikulskyte (UK) def. Kennan Johnson/Ryann Foster (LSU) 6-2
3 – Diana Tkachenko/Brianna Tulloch (UK) vs. Luba Vasilyuk/Ashton Rabalais (LSU) 4-4, unfinished
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.
