State Women’s Tennis Drops A 6-1 Decision To The Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Kent. - Mississippi State's women's tennis team (2-6, 0-2 SEC) finished their SEC weekend road swing with a loss to Kentucky (3-8, 1-1 SEC).

"Our doubles really hurt us in today's match," coach Daryl Greenan said. "We were unable to pick up any momentum in singles as well. (Alexandra) Perper had a big win over their top singles player today. She is doing a really good job at the top of our line-up and I think her best tennis is still ahead of her."

In doubles action, the Cats jumped out to an early 1-0 lead where the Kentucky duo of Jessica Stiles and Misha Testerman overtook State's pair of Roseline Dion and Vivian Pietraroia 8-1 on court 3.

Clinching the doubles point at the top spot for Kentucky was Megan Broderick and Khristina Blajkevitch as they ousted Lady Bulldogs Alexandra Perper and Danielle Terpko 8-2. At the second position, the MSU tandem Mariia Ryzhova and Olesya Tsigvintseva fell to Kentucky's Caitlyn McGraw and Marni Venter 8-1.

Turning to singles play, the Wildcats' McGraw took down Terpko on court 3, 6-3, 6-2. In the second position, Ryzhova dropped a two-set decision 6-1, 6-4 to Stiles.

Competing on court 4 for MSU was Tsigvintseva where she battled through two sets but eventually fell 6-1, 6-4 allowing Blajkevitch to clinch the match for UK.

However, MSU fought hard at the top spot where freshman Perper took down Broderick of Kentucky 6-4, 6-4. Perper has now improved to 4-3 in the No. 1 position for State.

Following the victory on court 1, Pietraroia dropped a 6-1, 6-1 decision in the fifth position to Kentucky's Venter. On court 6, Testerman ousted Dion 6-3, 6-2 which closed the match and gave the Wildcats a 6-1 victory over Mississippi State.

The Lady Bulldogs are back in action on Friday, March 11 against the Razorbacks of Arkansas. Match time is set for 2:30 p.m. CT at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre where admission to all MSU home matches is free.

Live stats will be available at www.mstateathletics.com

Mississippi State 1, Kentucky 6
3/6/2011 - LEXINGTON, Kent.

Doubles
1) Megan Broderick/Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Alexandra Perper/Danielle Terpko (MSU) 8-2
2) Caitlin McGraw/Marni Venter (UK) def. Mariia Ryzhova/Olesya Tsigvintseva (MSU) 8-1
3) Jessica Stiles/Misha Testerman (UK) def. Vivian Pietraroia/Roseline Dion (MSU) 8-1

Singles
1) Alexandra Perper (MSU) def. Megan Broderick (UK) 6-4, 6-4
2) Jessica Stiles (UK) def. Mariia Ryzhova (MSU) 6-1, 6-4
3) Caitlin McGraw (UK) def. Danielle Terpko (MSU) 6-3, 6-2
4) Khristina Blajkevitch (UK) def. Olesya Tsigvintseva (MSU) 6-1, 6-4
5) Marni Venter (UK) def. Vivian Pietraroia (MSU) 6-1, 6-1
6) Misha Testerman (UK) def. Roseline Dion (MSU) 6-3, 6-2

Order of finish... Doubles (3,1,2) Singles (3,2,4,1,5,6)