Kentucky men’s tennis is set to kick off its 2024 spring season with a doubleheader against in-state rivals Northern Kentucky and EKU. The Wildcats will face off against the Norse at 11 a.m. and then take on the Colonels at 4 p.m. The matches will be held at the Boone Tennis Complex and are free for the public to attend. Live streaming will also be available on Track Tennis.
Kentucky is coming off an impressive run, making it to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year in 2023. Over the past two seasons, the team has boasted a 53-13 record. The Wildcats are ranked No. 11 in the preseason, making it the fifth straight year that head coach Cedric Kauffmann’s squad has appeared in the ITA top-25.
The Wildcats have a strong roster, with key returning players from last year’s team. Joshua Lapadat, a 2023 All-SEC First Team selection and SEC Tournament MVP, will lead the team. Lapadat has an impressive singles record of 64-12 during his time in Lexington. Additionally, Taha Baadi, an All-SEC Second Team honoree, and Jaden Weekes, an SEC All-Freshman Team member, are back on the team. The Wildcats have also added three talented freshmen: Jack Loutit, Eli Stephenson, and Matt Rankin.
In Monday’s matches, Kentucky will face a Northern Kentucky team that was picked second in the Horizon League preseason poll. The Norse finished last season with a 12-11 overall record and a 4-4 record in conference play. The Wildcats will also compete against the EKU Colonels, who started their season with an impressive 4-3 victory over Xavier. The Colonels have ASUN Third Team All-Conference selection Moritz Mayer on their roster and have added transfers, including Evzen Holis from Tennessee Tech.
Be sure to follow UK Men’s Tennis on X and Instagram at @UKMensTennis for the latest updates on the team.
