On Sunday, Kentucky Women’s Tennis (3-1) had a split in their doubleheader, losing to Illinois, 4-3, but then defeating Northern Illinois, 6-1. Despite the loss in the first match of the day, the Wildcats were able to rebound and easily defeat Northern Illinois, marking their second win over a Mid-American Conference foe this weekend. The match against Illinois marked the first of five contests against Big Ten opposition this season.
Kentucky was led by junior Elizabeth Stevens and freshman Zoe Hammond. Stevens continued her undefeated start on the No. 1 singles court, claiming victory in both of her matches to move to 4-0 on the season. Hammond also had a strong performance, winning twice on Sunday to continue her undefeated start to her collegiate career.
In the match against Illinois, the Fighting Illini claimed the doubles point in a back-and-forth affair. All three courts were decided by a singular break, as Illinois claimed wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Singles action proved to be a tightly contested affair, as the two teams split the six matches. With the match tied at two, the match would be decided by the final three courts. Illinois ultimately claimed the dual with a win on Court 5.
After an hour break, Kentucky was able to turn their fortunes around and easily win the doubles point against Northern Illinois with victories on Courts 1 and 3. In singles play, Kentucky kept their foot on the gas, suffering an injury early in the first set for one of their players, but the Wildcat teammates rallied around her and claimed the next five matches. Stevens would clinch Kentucky’s victory with a 6-3, 6-4 win on Court 1, and was quickly followed up by a 6-1, 6-2 win from Hammond at No. 5.
The Wildcats will return to the court on Wednesday, Jan. 25, hosting another home doubleheader against Cincinnati and Marshall. The action will commence at the Hillary J. Boone Tennis Center with a 10 a.m. EST contest between the Wildcats and the Bearcats. Following that match, the Thundering Herd will take on Kentucky in a 2 p.m. EST matchup.
RESULTS
Kentucky vs. Illinois
Doubles
Duong/Heuser (ILL) def. Molina/Stevens (UK) 7-5
Mills/Urrutia (UK) def. Casati/Frazier (ILL) 6-4
Ferrari/Yeah (ILL) def. Eades/Hammond (UK) 6-3
Singles
Elizabeth Stevens (UK) def. Duong (ILL) 7-6(3), 6-3
Yeah (ILL) def. Florencia Urrutia (UK) 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
Carlota Molina (UK) def. Frazier (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
Heuser (ILL) def. Lidia Gonzalez (UK) 6-2, 7-6(1)
Treiber (ILL) def. Makayla Mills (UK) 6-2, 6-4
Zoe Hammond (UK) def. Ferrari (ILL) 6-2, 6-2
Order of Finish:
Doubles—3, 2, 1
Singles—3, 4, 1, 2, 5, 6
Kentucky vs. NIU
Doubles
Molina/Stevens (UK) def. Dimitriev/Rakita (NIU) 6-0
Mills/Urrutia (UK) vs. Miroslavova Ninova/Welch (NIU) 3-3 (unfinished)
Eades/Hammond (UK) def. Horne/Righi (NIU) 6-1
Singles
Elizabeth Stevens (UK) def. Dimitriev (NIU) 6-3, 6-4
Florencia Urrutia (UK) def. Lukyanova (NIU) 6-1, 6-1
Reagan Welch def. Carlota Molina (UK) 3-1 (ret.)
Makayla Mills (UK) def. Mirsolavova Ninova (NIU) 6-1, 6-3
Zoe Hammond (UK) def. Righi (NIU) 6-1, 6-2
Maialen Morante (UK) def. Chudy (NIU) 8-2
Order of Finish:
Doubles—3, 1
Singles—3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 6