STILLWATER, Okla. – The Wisconsin men's tennis team knew that the ITA Kick-Off tournament would be an early-season measuring stick. After two matches against elite teams in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the Badgers know they belong on the national stage, but have work to do.
 
In Sunday's consolation bout, Wisconsin claimed the doubles point, but couldn't hold up in singles, falling 4-1.
 
Wisconsin remains perfect on the season in team doubles, a definite strength for the Badger squad. No. 9-ranked tandem of seniors Chema Carranza and Josef Dodridge swiftly overwhelmed Kentucky pair Enzo Wallart and Cesar Bourgois, 6-3 at the No. 1 spot. Junior Osgar O'Hoisin and sophomore Daniel Soyfer triumphed over Kentucky's No. 3 pair of Jake Stefanik and Austin Hussey, 6-3.
 
It was a tough start for the Badgers in singles as Kentucky took the first set on all six courts. However, it seemed like Wisconsin might battle back behind efforts from Dodridge and Soyfer. The two fought hard in the second frames before their matches were ended prematurely. Dodridge's match against No. 77-ranked Trey Yates ended 4-6, 5-5 while Soyfer's match looked like it would take a tiebreaker decision to decide the outcome. The sophomore played UK's Jake Stefanik to a 4-6, 5-6 finish before the match was called off early.

Westerman's Wing: "It was definitely a tough weekend of matches. We gave ourselves opportunities to compete by winning doubles both days but unfortunately we couldn't convert on some chances we had in singles. We played against some very good programs and the experience here will certainly help prepare us for the next time we play."
 
Up Next: The Badgers are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Nielsen for a doubleheader match against East Tennessee State and Green Bay. The Matches will be played at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. (CT), respectively.
 
Kentucky 4, Wisconsin 1
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Greenwood Tennis Center | Stillwater, Okla.
 
SINGLES
#84 Will Bushamuka (UK) def. Remy (UW), 6-2, 6-1
#34 Ryotaro Matsumura (UK) def. Carranza (UW), 6-2, 6-4
#77 Trey Yates (UK) uf. Dodridge (UW), 6-4, 5-5
Enzo Wallart (UK) def. O'Hoisin (UW), 6-4, 6-2
Kento Yamada (UK) def. Colton (UW), 6-4, 6-4
Jake Stefanik (UK) uf. Soyfer (UW), 6-4, 6-5
 
DOUBLES
#9 Carranza/Dodridge (UW) def. Enzo Wallart/Cesar Bourgois (UK), 6-3
Remy/Colton (UW) uf. Gus Benson/Ryotaro Matsumura (UK), 5-3
O'Hoisin/Soyfer (UW) def. Jake Stefanik/Austin Hussey, 6-3