TAMPA -- Sophomore Irene Rehberger extended her singles winning streak to seven, however it was not enough to propel the University of South Florida women's tennis team over the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls fell 5-2 and had their three-match winning streak snapped at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts

Rehberger, who improves to 7-1 on the season, took care of No. 117 Megan Broderick, in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. She is now ranked No. 82 by the ITA thanks in large part to four wins over ranked opponents.

After dropping the No. 1 double, USF's No. 3 doubles duo of Allyn Mueller and Jessica Zok took care of Minnette Pienaar and Whitney Spencer, 8-6.

The point would than come down to the No. 2 doubles match. The Bulls team of Lauren Shumate and Natalia Guevara could not hold on a 7-3 lead over Christine Johnson and Broderick, as the pairing fell 9-7 and dropped the Bulls into a 1-0 hole.

In singles play, the Bulls only other victory would come from Guevara playing in the No. 4 singles. Guevara easily put away Spencer, 6-4, 6-1, to cut the Wildcat lead to 2-1.

Shortly after Rehberger completed her victory to tie the score but the Bulls would not get any closer as the Wildcats took the final three singles matches to clinch the dual.

USF, now 5-9 on the season, will not have wait long to get to get back on track as the Bulls host another SEC foe in No. 33 South Carolina Sunday morning at 10 a.m.


Kentucky 5, USF 2

March 22, 2009

USF Varsity Tennis Courts- Tampa, Fla.


Doubles

1. No. 29 Caroline Lilley/ Carolina Escamilla def. Iciri Rai/ Irene Rehberger(USF) 8-5

2. Christine Johnson/ Megan Broderick def. Lauren Shumate/Natalia Guevara (USF) 9-7

3. Allyn Mueller/ Jessica Zok(USF) def. Minnette Pienaar/Whitney Spencer 8-6

Finish Order: 1, 3, 2



Singles

1. No. 82 Irene Rehberger def. Broderick 6-3 , 6-3

2. Carolina Escamilla def. Iciri Rai 6-4,6-0

3. Christine Johnston def. Jessica Zok(USF) 6-2,6-3

4. Natalia Guevara(USF) def. Whitney Spencer 6-4,6-1

5. Minnette Pienaar def. Allyn Mueller(USF) 6-7 ,1-6 ,6-1

6. Caroline Lilley def. Christine Wilson(USF) 7-5 , 6-2

Finish Order: 2,4,1,3,5,6