Nashville Heartbreaker: Kentucky Falls Short at No. 11 Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –  The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team lost its first road match of the season to the tune of a sad country song on Sunday afternoon, dropping to No. 11 Vanderbilt in a 4-3 decision in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
The Wildcats held a 3-1 lead over the touted Commodores needing just one more triumph to ace their three-game road series, but they lost three straight singles matches to fall to 11-3 this season, including 3-2 in the Southeastern Conference and 2-1 on the road.
 
Kentucky has had outstanding success in the doubles competition all season, and this afternoon was no different earning its 13th doubles point through 14 dual matches.
 
The Wildcats earned wins on courts Nos. 1 and 2 en route to a 1-0 lead over the Commodores after the doubles competition, as Akvile Paražinskaite and Fiona Arrese recorded a 6-4 triumph on one and Elizabeth Stevens and Carla Girbau recorded a 6-2 triumph on two.
 
Paražinskaite and Arrese have been solid all spring, improving to a spotless 11-0 record on the No. 1 doubles court for the best active record of any doubles team in the Southeastern Conference.
 
The Commodores didn’t take long to level the dual match at the beginning of the singles competition, as Amanda Meyer defeated Anastasia Tkachenko on the sixth court in a 6-2, 6-2 outcome. However, Kentucky answered on back-to-back, straight-set triumphs on courts Nos. 1 and 3.
 
Paražinskaite defeated No. 20 Christina Rosca on the first court in a 6-2, 7-5 decision. The Lithuania native improved to 12-1 on the No. 1 singles court this spring, including an impressive 3-0 mark against ranked foes. Lesedi Jacobs followed with a win of her own, overcoming Holly Staff on the third court in a 6-4, 6-4 decision.
 
The Wildcats’ quick spark in the dual match helped them to a 3-1 lead and needing just one more win to clinch and defeat their second straight ranked opponent, but they narrowly trailed on the remaining courts – Nos. 2, 4 and 5.
 
Elizbeth Stevens attempted a comeback, but the freshman couldn’t withstand the pressure, caving to Marcella Cruz on the fifth court, 3-6, 7-5, 3-6. Carlota Molina followed, giving up a lead to Emma Kurts after the first set, losing on the second court, 6-3, 5-7, 3-6.
 
All eyes turned to the fourth court as junior Carla Girbau and freshman Anessa Lee battled to the third set on the fourth court. In the end, it was the Commodore Lee that prevailed, defeating Girbau in a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6 outcome.
 
The Wildcats will return home for their next contest, playing host to No. 25 Texas A&M on Thursday, March 18 at 11 a.m. ET at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.
 
Kentucky 3, No. 11 Vanderbilt 4
March 14, 2021
Currey Tennis Center
Lexington, Ky.
 
Singles competition
1. Akvile Parazinskaite (UK) def. #20 Rosca (VANDY) 6-2, 7-5
2. Kurtz (VANDY) def. Carlota Molina (UK) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
3. Lesedi Jacobs (UK) def. Staff (VANDY) 6-4, 6-4
4. Morgan Cross (AR) def. Carla Girbau (UK) 6-1, 6-3
5. Cruz (VANDY) def. Elizabeth Stevens (UK) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3
6. Meyer (VANDY) vs. Anastasia Tkachenko (UK) 6-2, 6-2
 
Doubles competition
1. Akvile Parazinskaite/Fiona Arrese (UK) def. Ross/Staff (VANDY) 6-4
2. Carla Girbau/Elizabeth Stevens (UK) def. Kurtz/Cruz (VANDY) 6-2
3. Rosca/Lee def. #57 Lesedi Jacobs/Anastasia Tkachenko (UK) 6-0
 
For the latest on the Kentucky women’s tennis program, follow @UKWomensTennis on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.