Florida Gators
NCAA Singles Championship (1R)
Women?s Tennis Eliminated from NCAA Singles Championships; Doubles Plays Thursday
Thursday, May 25, 2006 | Women's Tennis
It was a tough day for the University of Florida women's tennis team, as all three of its entrants in the NCAA Singles Championships lost in the first round Wednesday at Taube Tennis Center.
Sophomore Diana Srebrovic, one of the No. 9-16 seeds in the 64-player event, capped a long evening of play with a tough 6-3, 5-7, 6-2 defeat to William & Mary's 19th-ranked Megan Moulton-Levy.
Srebrovic ends her first collegiate season with the Gators fielding a 37-10 singles record while making her NCAA Singles Championships debut.
Srebrovic appeared to be bowing out in straight sets before digging deep, earning two late breaks in the second set after facing a 5-2 deficit to force a deciding third. The entire match featured long rallies, as Srebrovic continued to pound baseline ground strokes and Moulton-Levy found a way to track them down and keep the ball in play. Srebrovic seemed to have the momentum entering the third set after winning the final four games of the second set. She had four break-points to start the third, but couldn't capitalize and Moulton-Levy appeared to grab the momentum but jumping on Srebrovic's serve in the next game to hold triple-break point. But the Gator recovered and fought off all three of those break points and another en route to holding that game before earning a break in the next game for a 2-1 lead. But Moulton-Levy broke right back and took control for the rest of match, eventually ending the battle on her second break point.
Senior Boglarka Berecz also had a tough outing in her collegiate finale, falling to sixth-seeded Amanda Fink from Southern California, 6-0, 6-1.
Berecz, who was making her first appearance in the NCAA Singles Championship, finished her career with an 80-19 career record, including a 14-6 record this season after battling through a variety of injuries.
“It has always been important for me to do well in the team in the team competition, but today I had the opportunity to play in the NCAA Singles Championship and it wasn't a good day,” said Berecz, who was named to the 2006 NCAA Championship All-Tournament team for her performance at the No. 4 position and helping the Gators reach the semifinals. “I was tired today and sore, but I have to give all credit to my opponent. She did everything she needed to do. It was an amazing experience to be part of the Gator family and experience the Gator spirit. I will miss it a lot, playing out there for the Florida Gators. It's been awesome.”
Earlier in the day, senior Alexis Gordon lost 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the NCAA Singles Championships. Gordon fought off three match points on her serve, but couldn't stave off a fourth in the final game, as California's 27th-ranked Suzi Babos moved into the second round.
“I came out a little tired and it was hard to get into the match,” Gordon said. “Overall, (Babos) played her game and ultimately came out with the win. I just couldn't get my footwork going and that really cost me.”
Gordon who is ranked No. 14 and received one of the 9-16 seeds, was competing in the 64-player singles draw for the second time. She advanced to the third round in 2004 and earned a bid into the 2003 event, but withdrew due to exhaustion. Gordon concludes her career with a 129-23 career record, including a 25-3 record her final season season.
Gordon pairs with Whitney Benik in the NCAA Doubles Championships, which gets underway Thursday, when the Gator duo plays Harvard's Melissa Anderson and Elsa O'Riain, ranked No. 3 in the country.
NCAA Tennis Singles & Doubles Championships
Taube Tennis Center
Stanford, Calif.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
UF Results Only
Singles Round of 64
Suzi Babos, California def. Alexis Gordon (9-16), UF 6-4, 6-3
Megan Moulton-Levy, William & Mary def. Diana Srebrovic (9-16), UF 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
Amanda Fink (6), Southern California def. Boglarka Berecz, UF 6-0, 6-1
Complete NCAA Singles & Doubles Championships Schedule
(Times are PACIFIC)
Wednesday, May 24
10 a.m. - Men's & Women's First Round of Singles
Thursday, May 25
10 a.m. - Men's & Women's Second Round of Singles & First Round of Doubles
Friday, May 26
11 a.m. - Men's & Women's Round of 16 Singles & Doubles
Saturday, May 27
12 p.m. - Men's & Women's Singles & Doubles Quarterfinals
Sunday, May 28
12 p.m. - Men's & Women's Singles & Doubles Semifinals
Monday, May 29
12 p.m. - Men's & Women's Singles Finals
2 p.m. - Men's & Women's Doubles Finals
END OF REPORT
