Texas Tech University Athletics
Women's Tennis Drops Kentucky, 4-2
March 19, 2011 | Women's Tennis
March 19, 2011
LUBBOCK, TX - Despite threatening weather that forced the teams off the courts for nearly an hour, the Texas Tech women's tennis team captured their second match in as many days in their 4-2 victory over the University of Kentucky Wildcats at the McLeod Tennis Center on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday's play began with singles matches and, just as the first sets were in play, both squads returned to their team rooms as thunder and lightning passed through the area. After the weather cleared, Texas Tech opened the scoring with wins by Lady Raiders Kelsy Garland and Nikki Sanders. Kelsy won at No. 5 singles in two sets, 6-1, 6-0, and Nikki won at No. 6 singles in two sets, 6-1, 6-0.
Sophomore Caroline Starck battled her opponent through three sets before winning at No. 3 singles, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Lady Raider Samantha Adams came out on top of two tiebreakers to clinch the match for Texas Tech with her win at No. 2 singles, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (11-9).
At No. 1 singles, Texas Tech's Elizabeth Ullathorne won the first set over Kentucky's Megan Broderick, 6-4. Broderick won the second set, 6-4, and then outlasted Ullathorne in the third set for the match point, 7-6 (7-5), to put the Wildcats in the scoring column.
Lady Raider Haley Fournier and Wildcat Khristina Blajkevitch were the last players dueling on the court at No. 4 singles. Fournier won the first set, 6-4, and Blajkevitch won the second set, 6-3. Kentucky gained their second point in the match with Blajkevitch's third set win over Fournier, 7-6 (7-3).
Texas Tech women's tennis resumes Big 12 play on Sunday, March 20 when they face the Kansas State Wildcats at the McLeod Tennis Center in an 11 a.m. match. The Red Raider men's team will take on the UT San Antonio Roadrunners at 3 p.m.
Coach Todd Petty - "I am very proud of our players. Today's match was truly a delight for fans to watch. Four of the six matches went to three sets with tiebreakers deciding the winners in three matches. Kentucky is an excellent team and they were very well prepared for us. Every match was very competitive and we were able to come away with a win. Now, we'll get some rest and take on KSU tomorrow morning.
Texas Tech 4 Kentucky 2
Doubles -- not played
Singles (order of finish: 5,6,3,2,1,4)
1. Megan Broderick (UK) def. Elizabeth Ullathorne (TT) 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
2. Samantha Adams (TT) def. Jessica Stiles (UK) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (11-9)
3. Caroline Starck (TT) def. Caitlin McGraw (UK) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Haley Fournier (TT) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3)
5. Kelsy Garland (TT) def. Marni Venter (UK) 6-1, 6-0
6. Nikki Sanders (TT) def. CeCe Witten (UK) 6-1, 6-0
Players Mentioned
