In a thrilling match, No. 11 Kentucky managed to upset No. 6 South Carolina with a 4-3 victory, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Sophomore Ellie Eades was the hero on Court 3, clinching the tied-up contest. The Wildcats will now face No. 3 Tennessee tomorrow at the Billingsley Tennis Center for a 4 p.m. EST matchup.
Seeking Redemption
Kentucky entered the competition with determination, seeking redemption after South Carolina eliminated the Wildcats from the tournament last year with a 4-1 defeat. Having also lost to the Gamecocks in the 2023 regular season, the Wildcats were ready to fight back, despite challenging weather delaying play in Arkansas.
Doubles Competition
The match began with doubles competition, as South Carolina’s Ana Cruz and Allie Gretkowski defeated Lidia Gonzalez and Zoe Hammond, 6-1, on Court 3. However, Kentucky’s Ellie Eades and Florencia Urrutia evened the score by beating their Gamecock opponents, 6-1. The ranked matchup of No. 22 Carlota Molina and Elizabeth Stevens ultimately fell to No. 38 Ayana Akli and Sarah Hamner, 6-4, giving South Carolina the advantage.
Singles Play: A Turnaround
Despite losing the doubles point for only the ninth time this season, Kentucky dug deep and fought hard in singles play. No. 42-ranked singles player Urrutia fell to No. 9 Alki, 3-6, 4-6, on Court 1, putting the Gamecocks up 2-0. However, Gonzalez’s 6-3, 6-3 sweep on Court 5 gave the Wildcats the momentum they needed.
With a one-point deficit, Kentucky looked for a way to even the score. Hammond delivered with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) victory on Court 6, tying the match at 2-2. Despite a tough battle, No. 118 Stevens fell to her No. 22-ranked South Carolina opponent on Court 3, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6).
Continuing to fight, Kentucky persevered through singles play. Molina managed to come out on top against Misa Malkin on Court 5, winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, and tying the contest at 3-3.
Deciding Factor: Ellie Eades
Eades was the deciding factor on Court 3 as she battled against Mulville. The sophomore lost the first set 2-6 but came back strong with a 6-1 win in the second set. With the match on the line, Eades and Mulville found themselves tied in the third set. Ultimately, Eades emerged victorious in the tiebreaker, clinching the match for Kentucky, 7-6 (7-4).
The 4-3 Kentucky victory propelled the team to the quarterfinal round of the tournament. In the regular season, the Wildcats faced the Volunteers at home but suffered a 2-4 defeat.
Match Results
#57 Kentucky 4, #30 South Carolina, 3
Doubles
1. #38 Ayana Akli/Sarah Hamner (SC) def. #22 Carlota Molina/Elizabeth Stevens (UK) 6-4
2. Ellie Eades/Florence Urrutia (UK) def. Gracie Mulville/Alice Otis (SC) 6-1
3. Ana Cruz/Allie Gretkowski (SC) def. Lidia Gonzalez/Zoe Hammond (UK) 6-1
Singles
1. #9 Ayana Akli (SC) def. #42 Florence Urrutia (UK) 6-3, 6-4
2. #22 Sarah Hamner (SC) def. #118 Elizabeth Stevens (UK) 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (8-6)
3. Ellie Eades (UK) def. Gracie Mulville (SC) 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
4. Carlota Molina (UK) def. Misa Malkin (SC) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Lidia Gonzalez (UK) def. Elise Mills (SC) 6-3, 6-3
6. Zoe Hammond (UK) def. Alice Otis (SC) 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2,1); Singles (15,6,2,4,3)