LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 21st-ranked LSU women’s tennis team ended No. 15 Kentucky’s undefeated home record by rallying late in singles to win 4-3 at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center on Friday.
The score marked the second straight match LSU (8-3, 3-0 SEC) has won 4-3, and it was also the sixth victory over a ranked team this season.
“I am really proud of the girls,” LSU head coach Tony Minnis said. “Knocking off a top-15 team on the road indoors is a great accomplishment. Everyone contributed to the win, and I am impressed by their performance. Staten has been money under pressure, and it was a great win to clinch the match. We just have to stay focused and take it one match at a time.”
The Lady Tigers started off strong by winning the doubles point. Megan Falcon and Mykala Hedberg were first to finish on court one as they upset No. 50 Megan Broderick and Carolina Escamilla, 8-2. Shortly after, Nicole Kantor and Staten Spencer knocked off Whitney Spencer and Sarah Woestmann, 8-5, to put the Lady Tigers up 1-0.
In singles, Kentucky (10-4, 1-2) tied the match at 1-1 when Tiffany Tucker was forced to retire after one set. No. 18 Falcon gave LSU a 2-1 lead by beating 77th-ranked Woestmann, 6-1, 6-4. The win marked Falcon’s seventh over a ranked opponent.
After the Wildcats took a 3-2 lead in the match, Robinson rallied after losing the first set, 6-2, to Alaina Trgovich. Robinson cruised in the second and third sets, beating Trgovich 6-3, 6-2 to claim her sixth straight win and tie the match at 3-3.
On court six, LSU’s Spencer was down 5-2 in the first set to Kentucky’s Spencer, but Staten proceeded to win the next five games to win the first set, 7-5. The momentum carried into the second set as Staten won 6-3 to clinch the match for the Lady Tigers.
LSU will try for the weekend sweep at noon Sunday at No. 20 Vanderbilt (8-3, 0-3) who lost to Arkansas, 5-2.
#21 LSU 4, #15 Kentucky 3
March 7, 2008 at Lexington, Ky.
Singles competition:
1. #18 Megan Falcon (LSU) def. #77 Sarah Woestmann (UK) 6-1, 6-4
2. Megan Broderick (UK) def. Mykala Hedberg (LSU) 6-1, 7-6 (6)
3. Carolina Escamilla (UK) def. Nicole Kantor (LSU) 6-4, 7-5
4. Christine Johnston (UK) def. Tiffany Tucker (LSU) 6-0, retired
5. Hannah Robinson (LSU) def. Alaina Trgovich (UK) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
6. Staten Spencer (LSU) def. Whitney Spencer (UK) 7-5, 6-3
Doubles competition:
1. Megan Falcon/Mykala Hedberg (LSU) def. #50 Megan Broderick/Carolina Escamilla (UK) 8-2
2. Christine Johnston/Alaina Trgovich (UK) def. Hannah Robinson/Tiffany Tucker (LSU) 8-6
3. Nicole Kantor/Staten Spencer (LSU) def. Whitney Spencer/Sarah Woestmann (UK) 8-5
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (4,1,2,3,5,6)