Strong Field Tested Kentucky in Day One of Miami Spring Invite
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s tennis program attempted to brush off the dust in the Miami Spring Invite, the Wildcats’ first competitive appearance since early November, but the field of three top-20 teams proved to be a tough test following the first day of the three-day tournament.
The Miami Spring Invite, hosted in Coral Gables, Florida, Jan. 11-13, features Kentucky, host No. 17 Miami, No. 19 Northwestern and the second-best team in the nation in Vanderbilt. It is the last preseason event for UK, before the regular season begins Wednesday, Jan. 16.
Kentucky began its day competing in four doubles matches versus Miami. The Wildcats dropped four of four of their matches. The veteran duo in senior Justina Mikulskyte and Lesedi Jacobs put forth a worthy fight versus the 51st-best pair in the nation, but fell in the end with a 6-4 decision.
After a disappointing start to the invitational, UK had to turn around and play the 2018 national runner-ups Vanderbilt in eight singles matches. The Commodores put their best foot forward, flaunting five top-75 athletes in their singles lineup. Kentucky ended the day falling in all eight singles matches.
The nine-athlete Kentucky roster will return to action Saturday at 9 a.m. with singles, followed by doubles at noon.
Saturday
9 a.m.: Kentucky vs. Northwestern (singles)
Noon: Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt (doubles)
Sunday
Noon: Kentucky vs. Northwestern (doubles)
2 p.m.: Kentucky vs. Miami (singles)
Live scoring will be available at http://sidearmstats.com/miami/wten/xlive.htm.
For more on Kentucky women’s tennis, follow @UKWomensTennis on Twitter and Instagram, Kentucky Women’s Tennis on Facebook, or on the web at UKathletics.com.
