Senior Day Success: No. 23 Kentucky Upsets No. 19 Tennessee
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 23 University of Kentucky women’s tennis team collected its second top-25 upset of the season on Sunday afternoon, defeating No. 19 Tennessee, 4-2, in a four hour and 10 minute match outside at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center. The Wildcats improved to a 13-4 record this season, including a 5-4 mark in the Southeastern Conference.
The doubles point has been a steadfast resource for UK all season, and this afternoon was no different. Kentucky earned its 15th doubles point this spring, while also moving to a 31-8 record (.789) in the doubles competition. Seniors Anastasia Tkachenko and Lesedi Jacobs led the charge, recording a 6-2 triumph over Rebeka Mertena and Johanna Silver on the third court. Despite Carla Girbau and Elizabeth Stevens dropping to UT’s Tenika McGiffin and Carly Briggs in a 6-3 defeat on the second court, the ranked matchup on No. 1 favored the Blue and White.
No. 6 Akvile Paražinskaite and Fiona Arrese defeated No. 25 Esther Adeshina and Daria Kuczer in a 7-6 (11) test that lasted for more than an hour. The Wildcat duo improved to 13-1 on the season, including 8-1 in the conference and 4-1 against ranked foes.
Paražinskaite took that momentum into the singles competition, defeating No. 56 Eleonora Molinaro in a 6-2, 6-4 decision. Paražinskaite, who checked in at No. 42 in the latest ITA/Oracle Division I Women’s Singles Rankings, owns a 14-3 record on the first singles court this season, while improving to a 4-2 mark against ranked opponents.
The Wildcats held a 2-0 lead in the dual match, before Lady Volunteer Daria Kuczer answered back, defeating Arrese in a 6-2, 6-3 outcome on the fifth court. Meanwhile No. 109 Jacobs rallied back to a third set to upset No. 46 Carly Briggs in a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 outcome on the third court stretching UK’s lead to 3-1. Jacobs is now 2-0 against ranked foes this season.
Once again, Tennessee answered back as Tenika McGiffin rallied past Girbau, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. It was Maialane Morante, just a sophomore, who clinched the dual match for the Cats just moments later, forming a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 score card over Johanna Silva on the sixth court.
Kentucky boats a 65-25 record (.722) in the singles competition this year.
The dual match marked UK’s final home event of the regular season. The Wildcats will close out their regular season with a four-game road stretch, beginning with Florida and South Carolina on Thursday, April 1 and Sunday, April 3, respectively.
No. 23 Kentucky 4, No. 19 Tennessee 2
March 28, 2021
Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center
Lexington, Ky.
Singles competition
1. #42 Akvile Parazinskaite (UK) def. #56 Eleonora Molinaro (UT) 6-2, 6-4
2. #119 Carlota Molina (UK) vs. #96 Rebeka Mertena (UT) 7-5, 4-6, 5-4, unfinished
3. #109 Lesedi Jacobs (UK) def. #46 Carly Briggs (UT) 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
4. Tenika McGiffin (UT) def. Carla Girbau (UK) 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
5. Daria Kuczer (UT) def. Fiona Arrese (UK) 6-2, 6-3
6. Maialen Morante (UK) def. Johanna Silva (UT) 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. #6 Akvile Parazinskaite/Fiona Arrese (UK) def. #25 Esther Adeshina/Daria Kuczer (UT) 7-6 (13-11)
2. Tenika McGiffin/Carly Briggs (UT) def. #66 Carla Girbau/Elizabeth Stevens (UK) 6-3
3. Lesedi Jacobs/Anastasia Tkachenko (UK) def. Rebeka Mertena/Johanna Silva (UT) 6-2
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.
