Alabama Women's Tennis Falls in NCAA First Round
5/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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NASHVILLE, TENN. -- The Alabama (8-15) women’s tennis team’s season came to an end Friday with a 4-2 loss to the South Alabama Jaguars (19-6) in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Dominika Nemcovicova clinched the win for USA at No. 5 singles. Nemcovicova won the final two sets to take the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. She was able to break Alabama’s Natalie McElveen’s serve to go up 5-3 in the third set and then served out the match for the win.
“This has been the story of our year,” Alabama head coach Jenny Mainz said. “We weren’t able to capitalize on our opportunities at the critical moments. That said, I’m extremely proud of how this team played today and all year. We found ways to rally and stay alive.”
Alabama was forced to rally once again after it put itself behind the eight-ball when it fell behind in the match 3-1. Bama continued to fight and gave itself an opportunity to win the match. To do so though, Alabama needed to win the final three matches of the day.
The Tide’s Mari Muller battled back at No. 4 singles after dropping the first set to win the final two sets and keep Alabama alive. Ashley Bentley was on track to do the same at No. 2 singles after winning the second set and evening the match. Before Bentley could finish off her opponent though, Nemcovicova clinched the win.
It was a struggle for Alabama all day to avenge an earlier loss to USA. The Jaguars jumped out to 1-0 lead after winning the doubles point and then claimed an unexpected win at No. 3 singles en route to the win. Doubles has proved to be a hurdle for the Tide all season and Friday’s loss dropped Alabama to 0-14 this season when it loses the doubles point.
The Jaguars’ Dijana Stanic and Dominika Nemcovicova won 8-3 at No. 3 doubles to give USA its first win on the day. Mari Zivicicova and Katarina Palenikova then avenged an earlier loss to the Tide’s Robin Stephenson and Natalie McElveen at No. 1 to clinch the point. The Jags’ doubles team broke serve to take a 7-5 lead and then served out the match for the 8-5 win.
Robin Stephenson continued her roll at No. 1 singles and picked up Alabama’s first win of the day. Stephenson defeated Andrea Kurekova 6-3, 6-0 to earn her 27th win of the season, 47th of her career. But it wasn’t enough to push the Tide to victory.
However, despite the loss the season isn’t over for two Crimson Tide athletes. Stephenson and Bentley will both compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, beginning May 29 in Athens, Ga. Draws will be released following the NCAA team championships.
Tennis Match Results
Alabama vs South Alabama
May 13, 2005 at Nashville, TN
#27 South Alabama 4, #39 Alabama 2
Singles competition:
1. Robin Stephenson (WBAMA) def. Andrea Kurekova (USA) 6-3, 6-0
2. Ashley Bentley (WBAMA) def. Ana Rupic (USA) 5-7, 6-3, 4-4, unfinished
3. Maria Zivcicova (USA) def. Melissa Minor (WBAMA) 6-1, 6-3
4. Mari Muller (WBAMA) def. Katarina Palenikova (USA) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
5. Dominika Nemcovicova (USA) def. Natalie McElveen (WBAMA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
6. Dijana Stanic (USA) def. Anrdea Brenes (WBAMA) 6-4, 6-0
Doubles competition:
1. Maria Zivcicova/Katarina Palenikova (USA) def. Robin Stephenson/Natalie McElveen (WBAMA) 8-5
2. Ashley Bentley/Melissa Minor (WBAMA) def. Andrea Kurekova/Klara Jarova (USA) 6-5, unfinished
3. Dijana Stanic/Dominika Nemcovicova (USA) def. Mari Muller/Melissa Day (WBAMA) 8-3
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1); Singles (1,3,6,4,5)
