Oct. 28, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s tennis team wrapped up the fall season Sunday afternoon at the Tennessee Fall Invite in Knoxville, Tenn., taking all three doubles matches vs. North Carolina State and three singles matches against host Tennessee.
The Wildcats began the afternoon with doubles play against NC State, sweeping the three-match series. UK head coach Carlos Drada mixed up the Kentucky doubles pairings and saw great success.
Freshman Nadia Ravita teamed up with experienced junior Caitlin McGraw to face Nicole Martinez and Elisha Hande in the No. 1 spot. Kentucky’s duo won their first match together, 8-4.
Senior Jessica Stiles teamed up with junior Khristina Blajkevitch to knock off Joelle Kissell and Christy Sipes, 8-5. Sophomore Stephanie Fox and freshman Kirsten Lewis teamed up for the first time of the fall and found success, defeating Chloe Smith and Rachael James-Baker 8-6.
Following doubles play, Kentucky squared off against Tennessee for singles competition.
Stiles won her third singles match of the weekend, winning 3-0 due to an injury of Caitlyn Williams. Stiles’ 3-0 record on the weekend left her in second place with 15 points. Blajkevitch finished off a perfect singles weekend with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Tiffany Tavares.
Fox improved to 2-1 on the weekend, defeating Kayla McMurry in three sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2. Freshmen Ravita and Lewis both fell in singles on Sunday. Ravita fell 6-4, 6-4 to Kata Szekely, while Lewis fell 6-2, 6-1 to Mimi Fotopoulos. Joanna Henderson defeated McGraw 6-2, 6-2.
Sunday’s conclusion of the Tennessee Fall Invite concluded the successful fall season for the Wildcats. Kentucky will return to action Jan. 19, when they play host Morehead State and Belmont.
Tennessee Fall Invite
Knoxville, Tenn.
Oct. 26-28, 2012
Sunday Doubles vs. NC State
1. Nadia Ravita/Caitlin McGraw (UK) def. Nicole Martinez/Elisha Hande (NC State) 8-4
2. Jessica Stiles/Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Joelle Kissell/Christy Sipes (NC State) 8-5
3. Stephanie Fox/Kirsten Lewis (UK) def. Chloe Smith/Rachael James-Baker (NC State) 8-6
Saturday Doubles vs. Ohio State
1. Caitlin McGraw/Jessica Stiles (UK) def. Kara Cecil/Kelsey Dieters (OSU) 8-2
2. Fidan Manashirova/Gabby Steele (OSU) def. Blajkevitch/Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) 8-5
3. Nadia Ravita/Kirsten Lewis (UK) def. Kelsey Becker/Nicole Flower (OSU) 8-4
Friday Doubles vs. Tennessee:
1. Boren/Szekely (Tennessee) def. McGraw/Stiles (UK) 8-3
2. Henderson/Williams (Tennessee) def. Blajkevitch/Morin-Kougoucheff (UK) 8-1
3. Ravita/Lewis (UK) def. Toti/Fotopoulos (Tennessee) 8-4
Sunday Singles vs. Tennessee
1. Kata Szekely (UT) def. Nadia Ravita (UK) 6-4, 6-4
2. Jessica Stiles (UK) def. Caitlyn Williams (UT) 3-0 (Inj.)
3. Mimi Fotopoulos (UT) def. Kirsten Lewis (UK) 6-2, 6-1
4. Joanna Henderson (UT) def. Caitlin McGraw (UK) 6-2, 6-2
5. Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Tiffany Tavares (UT) 6-1, 6-1
6. Stephanie Fox (UK) def. Kayla McMurry (UT) 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
Saturday Singles vs. NC State
1. #19 Joelle Kissell (NC State) def. Nadia Ravita (UK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-0
2. Jessica Stiles (UK) def. Nicole Martinez (NC State) 6-4, 6-0
3. Elisha Hande (NC State) def. Kirsten Lewis (UK) 6-1, 6-2
4. Caitlin McGraw (UK) def. Christy Sipes (NC State) 6-1, 6-3
5. Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Rachael James-Baker (NC State) 6-2, 7-6 (5)
6. Stephanie Fox (UK) def. Chloe Smith (NC State) 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
Friday Singles vs. Ohio State:
1. Nadia Ravita (UK) def. Kelsey Dieters (Ohio State) 2-6, 7-5, 7-5
2. Jessica Stiles (UK) def. Kara Cecil (Ohio State) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
3. Fidan Manashirova (Ohio State) def. Kirsten Lewis (UK) 2-6, 7-6, 6-1
4. Gabby Steele (Ohio State) def. Caitlin McGraw (UK) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
5. Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Nicole Flower (Ohio State) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1
6. Noelle Malley (Ohio State) def. Stephanie Fox (UK) 1-6, 7-5, 6-3
