Wednesday, May 24
Athens, GA
12:00 AM
Florida Gators
0
at
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NCAA Singles - Day One
GATOR MEN'S TENNIS PLAYERS ADVANCE AT NCAA INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wednesday, May 24, 2000 | Men's Tennis
ATHENS, Ga. - University of Florida senior Justin O'Neal and junior Jeff Morrison both won first round singles matches Wednesday in the NCAA Men's Tennis Championships at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
O'Neal, who is a 9-16 seed and is ranked 10th nationally, downed Princeton's Kyle Kliegerman 6-1, 6-4. O'Neal will face Kentucky's 50th-ranked Johan Hesoun in Thursday's second round.
"I am really glad that I pulled it out," O'Neal said. "I was a little tired. I know that every match could be my last so I just have to go out and compete and go as far as I can."
Morrison, the defending NCAA singles champion and the tournament's top seed, beat St. John's Erik Scharf 6-2, 6-4 and will meet Tennessee's 24th-ranked Mark Parsons in the second round.
"Today was really hot, but I served really well," Morrison said. "He made me a hit a lot of balls today. Everyone is going to give me my best shot."
"Jeff's serve was a little better today than Monday (vs. Stanford)," said Gator assistant coach Damon Henkel. "We just tried to keep his rhythm going."
Morrison and junior Nathan Overholser will play in the 32-team doubles draw, which starts on Thursday. Morrison and Overholser, the tournament's No. 1-seeded team, will be playing in the doubles draw for the third time. The Gator duo will meet Fresno State's 21st-ranked team of Rob Cheyne and Andy Scorteanu on Thursday afternoon.
Morrison is trying to become the first back-to-back champion since Mikael Pernfors in 1984 and 1985.O'Neal is playing in the field for the fourth straight year. The tournament concludes this Sunday, May 28.
O'Neal, who is a 9-16 seed and is ranked 10th nationally, downed Princeton's Kyle Kliegerman 6-1, 6-4. O'Neal will face Kentucky's 50th-ranked Johan Hesoun in Thursday's second round.
"I am really glad that I pulled it out," O'Neal said. "I was a little tired. I know that every match could be my last so I just have to go out and compete and go as far as I can."
Morrison, the defending NCAA singles champion and the tournament's top seed, beat St. John's Erik Scharf 6-2, 6-4 and will meet Tennessee's 24th-ranked Mark Parsons in the second round.
"Today was really hot, but I served really well," Morrison said. "He made me a hit a lot of balls today. Everyone is going to give me my best shot."
"Jeff's serve was a little better today than Monday (vs. Stanford)," said Gator assistant coach Damon Henkel. "We just tried to keep his rhythm going."
Morrison and junior Nathan Overholser will play in the 32-team doubles draw, which starts on Thursday. Morrison and Overholser, the tournament's No. 1-seeded team, will be playing in the doubles draw for the third time. The Gator duo will meet Fresno State's 21st-ranked team of Rob Cheyne and Andy Scorteanu on Thursday afternoon.
Morrison is trying to become the first back-to-back champion since Mikael Pernfors in 1984 and 1985.O'Neal is playing in the field for the fourth straight year. The tournament concludes this Sunday, May 28.
Players Mentioned
One-on-One with Coach Steinberg 3-7-24
Thursday, March 07
Bryan Shelton Postmatch 2-2-23
Saturday, February 04
Jonah Braswell Postmatch 2-2-23
Saturday, February 04
NCAA: Men's Tennis Postmatch 5-13-22
Friday, May 13
