Stephenson Captures Alabama?s Career Wins Mark
4/1/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
"I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to accomplish this feat," Stephenson said. "It was a big win for me, not only to reach the record but to beat my opponent because it's a personal rivalry. We grew up playing each other and it means a lot to me to beat her, but also because this is my last weekend to play here at home. All of those things combined to make this special."
The win also avenged Stephenson's loss to Srebrovic earlier this year at the ITA South Regional Championships, where she lost in straight sets. This time things were different. Stephenson seized control midway through the first set when she jumped up two breaks on Srebrovic at 5-2 and served out the set. In the second set, the match remained on serve until Stephenson broke to take a 6-5 lead. Then, with the record hanging in the balance, she served out the match.
Despite Stephenson's stellar win, Alabama (7-8, 3-4 SEC) dropped its dual-match with No. 6 Florida, 6-1, to fall below .500 in the SEC for the first time this season.
Sunday the Crimson Tide will play its final home match of the season against South Carolina and Alabama's five seniors will be celebrated in Senior Day festivities prior to the start of the match, which is slated for 1 p.m.
Tennis Match Results
Florida vs Alabama
Mar 31, 2006 at Tuscaloosa, Ala.
#6 Florida 6, #36 Alabama 1
Singles competition:
1. #12 Robin Stephenson (UA) def. #4 Diana Srebrovic (UF) 6-2, 7-5
2. #37 Alexis Gordon (UF) def. #86 Ashley Bentley (UA) 6-4, 6-4
3. #87 Whitney Benik (UF) def. Mari Muller (UA) 6-3, 6-3
4. Nina Suvak (UF) def. Natalie McElveen (UA) 6-1, 6-0
5. Alex Liles (UF) def. Shelley Godwin (UA) 0-6, 7-6, 1-0
6. Keri Robison (UF) def. Sofia Ayala (UA) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition:
1. #18 Robin Stephenson/Ashley Bentley (UA) def. Whitney Benik/Alexis Gordon (UF) 8-4
2. #47 Lolita Frangulyan/Diana Srebrovic (UF) def. Melissa Day/Natalie McElveen (UA) 8-1
3. Keri Robison/Nina Suvak (UF) def. Mari Muller/Andrea Brenes (UA) 8-2
Match Notes:
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,1,3,2,6,5)
Match moved indoors because of rain
Robin Stephenson becomes UA's all-time winningest player with 89th career win
--UA--
Jeff Dunnavant
University of Alabama Media Relations
205-348-7486
www.rolltide.com
