Cajuns Upset Bid Falls Short Against No.9 Kentucky

Contact: Jeff Schneider

Coming off of a sweep of Alcorn State a day ago, the Ragin' Cajuns men's tennis team saw its upset bid of No.9 Kentucky come up short Wednesday as UL fell 5-2 in its dual match at Cajun Courts.

“I know we lost our match today, but I have to say to be able to compete and extend a legitimate national title contender today was really encouraging,” head coach Mark Jeffrey said. “Ragin' Cajun Tennis is back in Lafayette we have to get everyone out to these matches. These guys are playing some incredible tennis.”

The Wildcats earned the doubles point after sweeping doubles competition. The Cajuns didn't make it easy though taking the matches deep at the No. 2 and No.3 positions.

In singles play, Kentucky extended its lead to 3-0 after wins at No.6 and No.3 singles. Damian Farinola got the Cajuns (5-4) on the board with his 6-4, 6-4 win over Panav Jha at No.5 singles.

Senior Carlin Murray picked up his first win over a ranked opponent on the season defeating a previously undefeated and 14^th ranked Anthony Rossi 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.

“'We can take away so many good things from today with Carlin Murray beating the 14th ranked player nationally, Jeffrey added. “Damian Farinola also had a great win in a gutsy performance, and even though Rick Degroot lost a three set match to the 16^th ranked player in the country he came out and competed hard the entire match.”

DeGroot battled three sets with 16^th ranked Alex Musialek falling 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No.1 singles, while Ted Nilsson also fought hard in his match taking 107^th ranked Alejandro Gomez three sets in a loss, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.

“I'm glad to have Ragin' Cajuns tennis back where it should be, and these guys are so much fun to work with,” Jeffrey said. “They've worked so hard all season. Hard work will get you to the door, and hard work will get you through it. I just like to see good people succeed these guys deserve it.”

The Cajuns are set to open the HEB Tournament of Champions on Friday at 9 a.m. against conference foe South Alabama in Corpus Christi, Texas. Follow Cajuns men's tennis action live on twitter @Cajunmenstennis.

#9 Kentucky 5, Louisiana 2

Singles competition
1. #16 Musialek, Alex (UK) def. DeGroot, Rick (UL) 4-6, 6-2, 6-2
2. Murray, Carlin (UL) def. #14 Rossi, Anthony (UK) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
3. #98 Jomby, Tom (UK) def. Mandl, Yanick (UL) 7-5, 6-3
4. #107 Gomez, Alejandro (UK) def. Nilsson, Ted (UL) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
5. Farinola, Damian (UL) def. Jha, Panav (UK) 6-4, 6-4
6. Roberts, Grant (UK) def. Wynan, Jarred (UL) 6-3, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Rossi, Anthony/Jomby, Tom (UK) def. DeGroot, Rick/Murray, Carlin (UL) 8-5
2. Roberts, Grant/Musialek, Alex (UK) def. Farine, Brandon/Mandl, Yanick (UL) 8-6
3. Hirooka, Ryuji/Jha, Panav (UK) def. Farinola, Damian/Wynan, Jarred (UL) 9-8 (7-4)

Match Notes:
Kentucky 11-3; National ranking #9
Louisiana 5-4

-- Ragin' Cajuns --

Cajuns Upset Bid Falls Short Against No.9 Kentucky

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