LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s tennis team stepped out of conference play Tuesday to face Kentucky. The host Wildcats took the top four singles matches on the way to a 5-2 victory.

One of the bright spots for EKU (7-11) was the play from freshman Catarina Branco. She won the No. 5 singles contest and also teamed up with junior Myriem Mhirit to take the No. 3 doubles contest.

The Colonels will now prepare for a stretch of four OVC home matches in five days. First up will be Southeast Missouri on Friday, March 26. That match is set to begin at 1 p.m.

Kentucky 5, Eastern Kentucky 2

Singles
1. Megan Broderick (UK) def. Myriem Mhirit (EKU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Caroline Lilley (UK) def. Jessica Albuquerque (EKU) 6-1, 6-3
3. Christine Johnston (UK) def. Anouk Faure (EKU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Minnette Pienaar (UK) def. Anais Hamel (EKU) 6-0, 6-3
5. Catarina Branco (EKU) def. Elle Coldiron (UK) 8-5
6. Esmira Gheisary (EKU) def. Nicole Scates (UK) 8-1

Doubles
1. Lilley/Pienaar (UK) def. Faure/Hamel (EKU) 8-4
2. Broderick/Johnston (UK) def. Albuquerque/Gheisary (EKU) 8-2
3. Branco/Mhirit (EKU) def. Coldiron/Scates (UK) 8-4

Match Notes: Eastern Kentucky (7-11); Kentucky (2-11)
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (1, 4, 3*, 2, 5, 6)