Men’s Tennis Closes Out Non-Conference Play Against NKU, No. 25 Illinois
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fresh off a pair of home wins last weekend, Kentucky (5-2, 0-0 SEC) is set to play its final three matches in non-conference play this weekend, hosting NKU (1-0, 0-0 HL) for a doubleheader on Friday, February 6 before squaring off with No. 25 Illinois (3-2, 0-0 B1G) on Sunday, February 8.
Play from the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex will commence at 10 a.m. ET on Friday, with the second match slated for 2 p.m. The Cats and Fighting Illini will battle at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Admission to all regular season home matches is free to the public.
Last weekend, the Wildcats extended their home winning streak to 32 matches with a 4-0 win over in-state rival Louisville and a 4-2 upset victory over No. 15 Duke. For their efforts in the matches, junior Eli Stephenson was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week and Mikael Arseneault was named SEC Freshman of the Week.
In the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association Coaches Poll, the Wildcats were receiving votes for the second consecutive week. Four Wildcats appeared in the debut singles rankings of the spring season, led by Stephenson at No. 20. No. 30 Jack Loutit, No. 73 Charlelie Cosnet, and No. 86 Nicolas Arseneault complete the ranked quartet for Kentucky. The All-American duo of Loutit and Stephenson checked in at No. 35 in the doubles rankings.
Kentucky is set to face Illinois for the second time this season, falling 4-2 in the consolation round of the ITA Kickoff Weekend in New York two weeks ago. In that match, Kentucky claimed the doubles point and saw Stephenson continue his undefeated start to the spring season.
The Cats will enjoy a bye week next week before opening SEC play with the final three matches of a season-long eight-match homestand. Kentucky will start league action against Tennessee on Saturday, February 21 at 1 p.m., before hosting No. 8 Texas A&M on Monday, February 23 at 2 p.m. and No. 23 Florida on Friday, February 27 at 5 p.m. ET.
For the latest on UK Men’s Tennis, follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKMensTennis.
