Kentucky women’s tennis falls short at ITA Sectional Championships.

Julia Zhu and team captain Zoe Hammond traveled independently from the other members of the team, who were participating in the Vanderbilt Invite. 

In order to guarantee spots in the NCAA Championships, Hammond and Zhu looked to build on their outstanding performance from the ITA All-American Championships. They wouldn’t start as hot, though.

Both Hammond and Zhu suffered defeats in their first round bouts. Zhu lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Alice Battesti of Auburn. Hammond lost in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to Georgia’s No. 5 Sofia Rojas. 

Both won their round of 16 matches in the consolation bracket. Zhu defeated Miami’s Aely Arai 6-4, 6-2 in straight sets. 

In a battle, Hammond defeated Tennessee’s Vanesa Suarez with remarkable ease. Hammond lost the opening set 6-3 but rallied to win the next two sets 6-4 and 7-5. 

Zhu lost the first set and had to retire due to injury in the quarterfinals. In her subsequent match against Kenna Erickson, Hammond won handily, 6-3, 6-4. 

In an attempt to advance to the finals, Hammond faced Valery Gynina of Florida in the semifinals. The Wildcats lost 6-3, 6-4, ending their tournament run. 

As the fall season comes to an end, Kentucky will begin getting ready for the upcoming spring season. The Wildcats will try to improve from their previous record of 14-13, 5-11 SEC.