The Kentucky men’s tennis team secured a spot in the NCAA Quarterfinals for the third consecutive year after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Harvard on Saturday. The Wildcats, seeded fifth, displayed exceptional teamwork and determination to overcome the No. 12 seed Crimson at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Complex in Lexington.
Head coach Cedric Kauffman expressed his joy and pride in the team’s performance, highlighting their hard work and connection with the crowd. Doubles play set the tone for Kentucky’s success, with strong performances on all three courts. The duo of Taha Baadi and Jack Loutit secured a crucial victory on court two, followed by Joshua Lapadat and JJ Mercer clinching the doubles point.
The Wildcats carried their momentum into the singles session, claiming the first set on four of six courts. Freshman Eli Stephenson and sophomore Charlelie Cosnet delivered straight-set wins, extending Kentucky’s lead. With the match on the line, Baadi fought back in a third set to defeat his opponent and secure the victory for the Wildcats.
Kentucky’s win improves their all-time series record against Harvard to 7-5 and marks their fourth consecutive victory over the Crimson. The team will now prepare to face fourth-seeded TCU in the NCAA Quarterfinals in Stillwater, Oklahoma on May 16th. The Wildcats are determined to continue their impressive run and advance further in the tournament.