In its opening match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend, No. 19 Kansas tennis dropped a 4-2 decision against No. 22 Tennessee on Friday afternoon at the Jayhawk Tennis Center.

The Jayhawks fell behind early by losing the doubles point. Carmen Roxana Manu and Maria Toran Ribes suffered a 6-1 loss to UT’s Carly Briggs and Ariadna Riley. Malkia Ngounoue and Luniuska Delgado lost to nationally ranked (15) Kaitlin Staines and Tenika McGiffin, 6-2.

Ngounoue, who is ranked No. 93 in the nation, was topped by Rebeka Mertena, 6-3, 6-3. At number six singles, Toran Ribes triumphed over Hadley Doyle, 6-3, 6-4, giving KU its first point of the day. Tennessee’s Johanna Silva beat Manu in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. No. 63 Sonia Smagina then defeated No. 72 Staines, 6-4, 7-5. On court three, Delgado was defeated by Briggs in the final match of the afternoon in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Kansas will face No. 16 California at 10 a.m. Saturday in the consolation match of the ITA Kick-Off Weekend.