Two Thumbs Up for a Midweek Match, Kentucky Upsets Texas A&M

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team rallied past Texas A&M in a 4-2 decision on Thursday afternoon inside the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. The Wildcats improved to 12-3 this season, including a 4-3 mark in the Southeastern Conference and a 10-2 mark at home.
 
Kentucky won the doubles point in usual fashion, as the Cats have earned 14 of 15 doubles points this season. Meanwhile, the squad improved to an overall 29-5 (.853) doubles record during spring action.
 
Akvile Paražinskaite and Fiona Arrese upset No. 38 Tatiana Makarova and Jayci Goldsmith in a 6-4 decision on the first court, while No. 57 Lesedi Jacobs and Anastasia Tkachenko defeated Jessica Anzo and Katya Townsend in a 7-5 decision on the third court.
 
Paražinskaite and Arrese improved to a 12-0 record on the No. 1 doubles court, including boasting a 7-0 mark in the SEC, while they lead the conference in both categories. The pair also improved to 3-0 against ranked opponents this spring.
 
Kentucky carried its momentum into the singles competition with the help of a cheerful fan section. Despite Paražinskaite losing on the first court to No. 64 Makarova in a 6-0, 6-4 defeat, Jacobs rallied a win past Katya Townsend in a 6-4, 6-4 triumph. Kentucky held a slight 2-1 lead over Texas A&M after splitting the first two singles courts.
 
Carla Girbau dropped to Dorthea Faa-Hviding in a 6-2, 6-3 outcome on the fourth court, as the Aggies leveled the score at 2-2. The Wildcats, however, would put together back-to-back wins to take the crown.
 
Two underclassmen took charge to clinch the dual match. Carlota Molina roared from behind to defeat Jayci Goldsmith, 7-6 (9), 3-6, 6-4, on the second court. The sophomore was down 4-2 in the third set before crawling back into the match. Fiona Arrese, a freshman, outscored Jessica Anzo, 6-1, 7-5, on the sixth court to seal the deal.
 
The Wildcats checked in at No. 28 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association, while the Aggies are ranked No. 27.
 
The Wildcats will return home for their next contest, playing host to No. 3 Georgia on Friday, March 26 at 4 p.m. ET at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center.
 
Kentucky 4, Texas A&M 2
March 18, 2021
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center
Lexington, Ky.
 
Singles competition
1. #64 Tatiana Makarova (AM) def. Akvile Parazinskaite (UK) 6-0, 6-4
2. Carlota Molina (UK) def. Jayci Goldsmith (AM) 7-6 (11-9), 3-6, 6-4
3. Lesedi Jacobs (UK) def. Katya Townsend (AM) 6-4, 6-4
4. Dorthea Faa-Hviding (AM) def. Carla Girbau (UK) 6-2, 6-3
5. Elizabeth Stevens (UK) vs. Renee McBryde (AM) 3-6, 5-5, unfinished
6. Fiona Arrese (UK) def. Jessica Anzo (AM) 6-1, 7-5
 
Doubles competition
1. Akvile Parazinskaite/Fiona Arrese (UK) def. #39 Tatiana Makarova/Jayci Goldsmith (AM) 6-4
2. Carla Girbau/Elizabeth Stevens (UK) vs. Renee McBryde/Dorthea Faa-Hviding (AM) 4-4, unfinished
3. #57 Lesedi Jacobs/Anastasia Tkachenko (UK) def. Jessica Anzo/Katya Townsend (AM) 7-5
 
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.