Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Battle of the Border
Racers Edge Austin Peay in Battle of the Border
10/17/2026 8:27:00 PM | Women's Tennis
MURRAY, Ky - Murray State women's tennis took the Battle of the Border from Austin Peay 9-8 over two days, with junior Yu Kikawa going unbeaten in four matches and three other Racers sweeping their singles play.
Kikawa was the only player on either side to win everything she entered. She beat Austin Peay 6-2, 2-6, 10-6 in singles on the opening day and came back the next afternoon to win at No. 2 singles 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 after dropping the first set. In doubles she paired with senior Valeria Chaikovskaia for a 6-4 win on day one, then with junior Molly Null for an 8-2 result at No. 3 on day two.
Chaikovskaia was perfect in singles and did not lose a set, winning 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday and 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 on Sunday. Senior Varvara Alexeyeva matched her at 2-0, taking 6-4, 6-3 and then 6-4, 7-5 at No. 4. Junior Rebecca Widan also went 2-0, rallying from a set down for a 4-6, 6-2, 10-5 win on the first day before closing 6-3, 6-4 at No. 6.
The two sides split the weekend's doubles play on Murray State's side of the ledger, with the Racers taking one of three flights on each day.
