May 13, 2007
Georgia Tech Sports Information FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 13, 2007
No. 3 Georgia Tech Women’s Tennis Blanks Kentucky to Advance to NCAA Sweet 16
ATLANTA–Kristi Miller won at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, and Amanda McDowell and Christy Striplin added singles wins to lead the No. 3 Georgia Tech women’s tennis team over Kentucky, 4-0, in the NCAA second round Sunday at the Bill Moore Tennis Center. The Yellow Jackets (25-4) won their 17th straight match to advance to the NCAA Round of 16 for the third straight year and will play Friday at 3 p.m. in Athens, Ga., against No. 14 seed Fresno State.
Miller, the junior all-America ranked sixth in the nation, knocked off Kim Coventry at No. 1 singles, 6-1, 6-3. She also teamed with junior Whitney McCray for an 8-2 victory over Coventry and Sarah Woestmann at No. 1 doubles.
McDowell, playing No. 4 singles, blanked Whitney Spencer, 6-0, 6-0, to earn the Jackets first singles win. After Miller finished off her match, Striplin concluded her 6-1, 6-0 victory over Jessica Guiggiolo at No. 5 singles to clinch the win for Tech.
The Jackets began the match by earning the doubles point with wins at the No. 1 flight and at No. 3, where Tarryn Rudman and Kirsten Flower won 8-2 over Spencer and Giuggiolo.
“Kentucky (19-8) is a dangerous team and they really came after us in singles, and I’m really pleased with the way we responded,” said Tech head coach Bryan Shelton. “Amanda McDowell was just relentless and that really helped us. Kristi Miller winning her match quickly was also important, and then Christy Striplin finished it off for us.”
McDowell, a freshman from Atlanta, improved her dual-match record to 21-4 on the season.
“Amanda doesn’t have the big weapons, but she has no weaknesses either,” said Shelton. “She gives away nothing, so that’s why she’s able to beat you 6-0, 6-0.”
The NCAA Championships continue May 18-22 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex at the University of Georgia in Athens. Match times for Friday will be announced tomorrow.
“We’ve got a lot of positive energy and momentum going for us right now,” Shelton continued. “Our doubles play is much better, the middle of our lineup is so strong, and we’ve got experience at one and two, so we’ve got a lot of things going for us.”
No. 3 Georgia Tech 4, Kentucky 0 SINGLES 1. Kristi Miller (GT) d. Kim Coventry (UK), 6-1, 6-3 2. Alison Silverio (GT) led Joelle Schwenk (UK), 0-6, 6-0, 1-0, DNF 3. Amanda Craddock (GT) led Sarah Woestmann (UK), 7-5, 4-2, DNF 4. Amanda McDowell (GT) d. Whitney Spencer (UK), 6-0, 6-0 5. Christy Striplin (GT) d. Jessica Giuggiolo (UK), 6-1, 6-0 6. Carolina Escamilla (UK) led Tarryn Rudman (GT), 6-1, 3-5, DNF Order of Finish: 4, 1, 5
DOUBLES 1. Kristi Miller/Whitney McCray (GT) d. Kim Coventry/Sarah Woestmann (UK), 8-2 2. Alison Silverio/Amanda Craddock (GT) vs. Joelle Schwenk/Carolina Escamilla (UK), tied 6-6, DNF 3. Tarryn Rudman/Kirsten Flower (GT) d. Jessica Giuggiolo/Whitney Spencer (UK), 8-2 Order of Finish: 1, 3
Records: Georgia Tech 25-4, Kentucky 19-8
